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New Law: Definition of a swimming pond

Published (7/15/2011)
By Hank Long
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Swimming ponds are currently exempt from most of the Department of Health regulations that govern operation, maintenance, design, installation and construction of public pools. That exemption was due to expire on June 30, 2011, but a new law, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick), removes the exemption expiration.

The legislation was proposed after a December 2010 department report recommended the state continue to regulate public swimming pools and ponds differently.

The Legislature has defined a swimming pond as “an artificial body of water contained within a lined, sand-bottom basin, intended for public swimming, relaxation, or recreational use that includes a water circulation system for maintaining water quality and does not include any portion of a naturally occurring lake or stream.”

There are six public swimming ponds in the Twin Cities metropolitan area: Zimmerman, Osseo, Lake Elmo, Excelsior, Eden Prairie and Shakopee. Public swimming ponds in Greater Minnesota are located in Warroad, Glyndon, Cloquet, Mankato, Blooming Prairie and New Ulm. The law is effective May 25, 2011.

HF763*/ SF491/CH83

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