A freak accident last year at a St. Louis Park, Minn. pool has prompted federal legislation mandating all public pools to update equipment and log daily drain cover inspections.

On June 29, 2007, 6-year-old Abigail Taylor of Edina, Minn. was swimming in a kiddie pool at the Minneapolis Golf Club when she sat on a drain, which sucked out 21 feet of her small intestine. Her family sued the club and pool manufacturer and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sought fines. Taylor died this year.

Taylor’s death and other similar incidents in recent years have resulted in federal legislation monitoring pools, including the Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act and Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

In Austin, all pools must undergo inspections, update equipment if needed and log daily drain cover inspections.

“They are kind of phasing in the improvements,” said Matt Miller, director of facility services for the Austin Public School District.

According to MDH, “Owners of public pools in Minnesota must provide information to the Minnesota Department of Health by July 1 about their pools and the drain covers in their pools in order to renew or receive a license to operate. The drain covers must meet industry standards, be properly installed and not be broken or loose.”

Thus far, the district has submitted a questionnaire to MDH, and is awaiting a determination about any needed changes at Ellis Middle School, the district’s only pool.

Miller said the three dual drains have been inspected, and staff are conducting their mandated daily drain inspections.

“On a daily basis we have to stick them with a long pole to make sure they’re place,” he said.

The Ellis pool was built in the 1970s; Austin High School’s lower level pool was filled in after Ellis burned in 1985 to make room for the added students.

YMCA executive director Mark Bjorlie said an inspector has yet to visit the facility.

“We are try to fully understand all the regulations,” said Bjorlie, who said their pool’s gravity drain system is considered more favorable than a pump.

“Some of the regulations are not totally clear, and not totally set in stone,” he said.

One concern for many public pool operators is going to be cost; many of the requirements are expensive and not budgeted for prior to the new legislation.

AmericInn general manager Sandy Yunker said the mandates will cost “quite a bit of money” for pool and business owners.

“We need to look into it a little more to see if we are compliant,” she said. “There are different ways you can go about fixing the problem.”

Yunker said the 9 1/2-year-old pool must have new drains, bolts and covers.

The Municipal Pool, built in 1986 and possibly the city’s most recognized and well-used facility, is now up to code.

“We have an anti-entrapment drain cover,” said Kim Underwood, interim director of the Austin Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.

A state inspector visited, and the kiddie pool was updated.

“What they’re worried about is the shallow water,” Underwood said.