Bernson Calls for Ban on New Swimming Pools

First to go were green lawns and long showers. Now, a Los Angeles city councilman wants to pull the plug on the ultimate symbol of the California dream--at least until the drought is over.

Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the northwest San Fernando Valley, introduced a motion Tuesday to temporarily suspend issuance of building permits for swimming pools and spas.

“With the type of water situation we have, it’s not prudent to issue any permits until this drought is over,” Bernson said. “New pools and hot tubs are not essential uses.”

Bernson’s motion, which must be heard by a subcommittee before a full council vote, comes after sweeping water conservation measures were approved last month. They require residents to cut water use by 10% of 1986 levels. Beginning May 1, residents must cut usage by an additional 5% or face stiff penalties.

But Bernson said the cutbacks are not enough to overcome water shortages in the state’s fifth year of drought. His measure drew support from several other council members, including Michael Woo. He said that Bernson--involved in an April 9 reelection bid--is making “a gutsy move, considering how many pools are out in the Valley.”

Not only are there more pools in the Valley than any other metropolitan area, it is also considered the birthplace and home of the pool-building industry, which had no shortage of responses.

“In a way, Hal Bernson is attacking the whole California lifestyle,” said Bernard Zimring, a co-owner of Aquatic Pools, in the Valley since 1955. “Having a pool in your back yard is the California dream. That guy ought to be voted out of office, if not impeached.”

But even worse, say industry pool experts, the measure is not going to help.

“The fact is the back-yard pool uses less water than the same area with landscaping,” said Terry Fitch, vice president of sales for Anthony Pools, a nationwide company based in Montebello. “With the exception of the initial filling, the guy with the pool uses less water than the guy next door watering his lawn.”

Water officials said they had never heard of this comparison and would like to see proof.

Fitch said the moratorium would hurt builders and suppliers who install about 2,000 pools a year in Los Angeles.

Don Burns, a Sacramento lobbyist for the industry, said Los Angeles should consider as an alternative a ban on filling pools with municipal water, now the law in several cities.

“If people are willing to spend the money on private water that is trucked in to fill their pool, then let them,” Burns said. “But banning pool construction is like telling hardware stores they can’t sell buckets because people might fill them with water.”

Bernson said he expects opposition from the pool industry but will stand firm on his motion.

“How can you justify building new pools when you are asking people to cut back,” Bernson said.