Blow-up pool too costly to install

Taking a dip in an inflatable swimming pool this summer may be a cool prospect, but the cost of it staggers the imagination.
Faith Turney still can't believe that to put a $100 blow-up swimming pool in the backyard of her Whangarei home, she will have to spend more than $1000 meeting requirements outlined in government legislation.
Her two children want a blow-up pool worth between $70-$100 so they can cool off on hot day, but she said complying with Swimming Pool Act rules would be very complex and expensive.
Mrs Turney said she had been astounded to learn a pool building consent required by the Whangarei District Council would cost $460.
"I was required to complete a form which was not particularly user-friendly, give them a diagram of where the pool would be situated and provide all sorts of other measurements and information which took about two hours to do."
Mrs Turney was also advised to install a double testable check valve beside the water meter on the street frontage to stop water from the hose backflowing into the local water supply while filling the pool.
"The plumber has given me a quote of $660 to fit this. Each year, I am to pay the council $50 to check it is working properly once it is installed," she said.
"I wonder how many people know the costs involved? With the fencing as well, it is many times the price of the swimming pool itself."
The inflatable pool Mrs Turney wants to set up is 90cm high and 3.6 m wide.
WDC building and compliance officer Clive Priest said the Swimming Pool Act 1987 required a building consent for a pool more than 400mm deep.
"It is not how big the pool is, but the depth of water that the pool can contain. If the pool can hold more than 400mm of water or is filled to a depth of 400mm, then it must be fenced as outlined in the Act."
Mr Priest said if an inflatable pool couldn't be filled to more than 400mm then it was exempt from the Act.
Under the Act, pools not intended to be used for swimming, wading, paddling or bathing are exempt from the requirements.
Anyone failing to comply with the requirements is liable to a maximum fine of $500 and $50 for every day thereafter if the offence continues.
Mr Priest said the council was aware some families had installed swimming pools without complying with the rules.
The Turner family has decided to reconsider the plan next summer.