The City of Steinbach has been receiving many inquiries from residents about outdoor pools this year and is clarifying the rules as it pertains to local home owners.
The City says that it is important for residents to know that the city’s pool by-law pertains to all pools capable of holding 24 inches of water. In these cases, a city permit is required and an enclosure must be in place.
“Although pool advertising and packaging may indicate that a pool is less than 24″ deep, many still have the capacity to hold 24″ of water and children are at risk to drown,” said Trevor Schellenberg, Community Services Officer at the City of Steinbach. “Many pools have features, such as inflatable ring edges, that allow the depth of the pool to increase beyond 24″ and should be included in any pool’s depth measurement.” Schellenberg also spoke of the requirements for a proper enclosure for pools. Fences must have a minimum vertical height of five feet; must have no openings larger than 4″ through which a child could crawl; and must be maintained in good repair.
Any gates must be self-closing and self-latching, meaning the gate closes automatically without the aid of a push or pull from a person; must be at least five feet in height; and must be equipped with a lockable latch to prevent unauthorized entry.
Schellenberg also noted that the by-law is in place to minimize risks to residents, especially children. If pools can hold 24″ of water, whether you fill it to that or not, home owners should be applying for a permit and following the rules to keep people safe.
Anyone considering putting a pool on their property is encouraged to contact the City of Steinbach at 204-346-6515 to discuss their plans and ensure they are complying with the city’s by-law.
