We are opening pools C and F&G Saturday morning. Pool A will open the middle of next week.

For your information, a reminder of the pool rules follows.

CHOA Neighborhood Pools
CHOA Pool Rules and State Regulations (Pool hours are from 6 a.m. to sunset)

1. Children under 14 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED in the pool or pool area by
   an adult. Adult children and grandchildren of resident homeowners may use
   the homeowner’s neighborhood pool without the presence of the resident
   homeowner. They must be aware of pool rules and conduct themselves
   accordingly. If a problem arises, the resident homeowner will be notified, and
   if problems continue, said children would be unable to use the pool without
   the resident in attendance.
2. Lifeguards are not provided.
3. No running or rough play.
4. Please shower before entering pool. Take a cleansing shower before entering the
   pool or after using the toilet.
5. Swimmer not toilet trained must use swim diapers.
6. No diving allowed.
7. No loud radios, loud music, or boisterous conduct is permitted in the pool
   or recreation areas.
   6
8. No pets are allowed in the pool or recreation area.
9. No food, drink, alcohol or smoking is allowed in pool enclosure.
   10.No glass containers are allowed in pool enclosure.
   11.Please take all trash with you since no containers are provided.
   12.No swimming after dusk in any pool.
   CHOA homeowners have neighborhood outdoor pools for their use. You will be provided
   with one key. If a pool key needs to be replaced, the owner will be charged $8.00.
   Under our CHOA pool rules, all CHOA pools and spas may be used by CHOA residents
   and their guests.
   The pools open for use from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pools are heated between
   82-84 degrees and hot tubs at 102 degrees.
   Since there are no lifeguards at any of the pools, it is the responsibility of each resident
   to advise all family members and guests of the need to abide by the rules posted at each
   pool by both the State and our Association.
   State Spa Rules
10. All persons are required to take a cleansing shower before entering the spa pool.
11. Elderly persons and those suffering from heart disease, diabetes or high blood
    pressure should consult their physician before using the spa pool. No person
    suffering from a communicable disease, transmissible via water, shall use the spa
    pool. Persons using prescription medications should consult their physician
    before using the spa pool.
12. Individuals under the influence of alcohol should not use the spapool.
13. No person shall use the spa pool alone.
14. Pregnant women should not use the spa pool without consulting their physician.
15. Persons should spend no more than 15 minutes in the spa at any one session.
16. All children under 14 years of age shall be accompanied by a responsible adult
    observer.
17. No person shall run or engage in horseplay in or around the spa pool.

You may have noticed that the pool water at your local pool reminds you of days spent at the ocean. It’s not your imagination your pool may taste a little salty.

Slowly all pools in the CHOA area of Charbonneau are being converted to Salt Water pools. No more Chlorine smell. The assumption that maintaining a healthy pool requires that you buy and handle chlorine on a regular basis is not quite accurate. Many pool owners are discovering the possibility of utilizing saltwater as a means for having a pool that is safe and clean. The salt content in this type of pool is proportionately the same as that in human tears. Hence, you can safely open your eyes even while underwater.

How does a Saltwater pool work? Saltwater swimming pools draw on dissolved salt in the water to generate chlorine. The salt system utilizes a process called electrolysis to break down or separate the salt also known as sodium chloride or NaCl in the water.
The chemical reaction created by electrolysis produces chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. These sanitizing / disinfecting / oxidizing agents are the same as chlorine commonly used in swimming pools in solid and powdered form. This means a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine free. It simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of being dependent on chlorine added in other forms.

What should I expect
You will notice a “soft water” feel. If you have a water softener in your home, you know that the addition of salt makes water feel smooth and silky to the touch – like rain water. Most people prefer this to the sometimes-abrasive feel of chlorinated water.
A practical reason why we are converting to salt water pools, is they eliminate the need for most swimming pool chemical maintenance (which translates to lower maintenance costs). Sodium chloride (the result of the electrolysis process) reduces the accumulation of fungi and algae in the water. The result is less time spent cleaning the water and the pool surfaces.

How many pools have been converted so far?
So far C pool and F&G pool have been converted. This is a process that will take time, so know that your local pool is on the schedule.
Well I am off to the pool to enjoy the last few days of summer.