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Pools can sometimes be an issue for a community and, of course, the closure of the Community pool, is always the fault of the President! But, here is some information you all should know, President or not.
It is very difficult to know what to do because not only must we comply with the local town hall laws, we also have to meet the Junta de Andalucia and the more stringent (and ever-changing) laws of the EU. Unfortunately, it often seems that they have each interpreted the law differently so while we might be meeting the requirements of one dictate we have not met the other two!   Sadly, there is not because often each case is different and there are so many regulations to comply with – disabled toilets, ramps, width of pool surround, depth and gradient of water, markings, showers, steps to enter, enclosed fencing to prevent access, filters and pumps etc. And the list goes on.
The Junta de Andalucia’s Decree 23/1999 which is the basis for the approval by the Sanitary Regulations of Collective Pools states:
Pools that are excluded from following these rules are private pools or pools for multi-family use belonging to communities of less than 20 properties. Also excluded are thermal baths, hydrotherapy treatment centres and others dedicated exclusively to medical uses, as well as those dedicated exclusively to sports competitions that are subject to specific regulations.
We have put together a list of questions you might be faced with when dealing with your community pool:

How often do we have to test and record the water quality?
Do we have to have a lifeguard?
Do we need extra insurance?
Can pool be used after our lifeguard has gone?
Who writes community pool rules?
What signs do we have to display?
Can the children use inflatables and footballs?
How many safety life rings do we need?
Why has my pool been closed by the Council?
How do I now get the licence?
How much will it cost?
We don't have the funds; can I make an extra charge to each owner to cover the costs? And what about the debtors?
In 30+ years our pool has never been used by anybody disabled so why do we now need to provide disabled facilities?
Must we renew the licence every year?
We don't have sufficient space to increase the surrounds (playa) what can we do?
Our pool is totally legal but now we are told we have to fence it in. The owners object, what do we do?
Why do we have to separate the children’s pool from the adult pool by a fence. That will not work, what else can we do?
What are the legal restrictions to having a lifeguard? Our pool has always been open 365 days per year without a lifeguard and without problems
Is it enough to put up a sign exempting the community from any responsibility for bathers?
Can we prohibit debtors and their family/friends who stay in their property from using the pool?
We don't have room to put in a disabled ramp. What do we do?
Do we have to have a first-aid box near to the pool?
What are the legal exemptions to the law to not have to comply with the new pool laws?
Do we have to ask for a building license for works done in the pool and then ask for a new opening license?
Any changes in the law will raise questions from the owners in order to make sure their community pool is legal. The best thing will be to get a professional surveyor to make a report and make sure the pool is up to date.
If you are facing with any of the above issues, don’t hesitate to comment on this blog and will be happy to assit in aswering your questions.

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