Councilman Says Plan to Ban New Pools May Need Watering Down

Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson has turned lukewarm toward his own proposal to ban the construction of hot tubs and swimming pools before the full council had a chance to act on the anti-drought motion.

The council could have voted Wednesday to begin to draw up the ordinance that would temporarily suspend issuing building permits for pools and spas.

Instead, Bernson, who had received numerous complaints about his plan from the pool industry, said further study was needed and suggested that the motion might need to be watered down.

“It certainly wasn’t the intention of the council to put the pool industry out of business,” said Bernson, who represents the northwest San Fernando Valley. “I think that a lot of things need to be said before we proceed.”

After discussing the matter with industry representatives, Bernson said he learned that the average uncovered pool loses between 50 and 100 gallons of water a day because of evaporation and that a large amount of water is also lost from leaks. He said the city should consider mandating pool covers, repairs and other measures to reduce such waste.

At Bernson’s suggestion, the council asked the Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, headed by Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, to study his motion and report back as soon as possible with recommendations.

Councilman Nate Holden, who supported Bernson’s initial proposal, said he was disappointed with the delay.

“A swimming pool is a luxury,” Holden said. “You have a good idea here. I don’t know why you want to send it to a committee. I want to vote on it right now.”

But Councilman Joel Wachs disagreed. After speaking to his brother, who is in the pool supply business, Wachs said he believes the issue needs further study.

“We don’t want to shoot from the hip,” he said.

If a ban were approved, Wachs said, there would be a “whole lot of people in the San Fernando Valley saying they don’t want government coming in and saying ‘You can’t have a pool anymore.’ ”

The San Fernando Valley is considered the birthplace of the pool-building industry.

“The most important issue facing us is preserving water in existing pools,” said Syl Wachs, the councilman’s brother and vice president of a swimming pool supply company. “The amount of water put into new pools is minute. You are talking about a tiny amount of water.

“But there are some 350,000 pools in Los Angeles alone. These pools already have water in them. What we need to look at is what can be done to avoid wasting the water already there.”

Bernson’s decision was good news to Bernard Zimring, co-owner of a pool company that has been doing business in the Valley since 1955.

“With a little bit of education it appears the fears of a permit ban have dissipated,” he said. “The pool industry tried to educate Councilman Bernson, as well as other council members, about the impact that such a ban would have. We consume very little water, less than used in landscaping. If we are in such dire straits, we can have water trucked in.”

Under the water conservation measures approved by city officials last month, residents are required to cut water use by 10% based on 1986 levels. Beginning May 1, residents must cut usage by an additional 5% or face stiff penalties.

Despite his reservations, Holden voted to send the motion to the committee.

“I don’t think it’s fair to give someone a permit to build a swimming pool and then turn around and say you can’t put water in it,” he said. “And if you allow them to put water in it, then it is not fair to someone who can’t use more than 10% based on 1986.”