Debate is heating up over a proposed Rotorua geothermal safety bylaw with pool owners saying they should be able to regulate their own water temperatures.
The Rotorua District Council's proposed new rules include limiting the temperature of hot pools to 40C. The bylaw would also allow the councilto check pool temperatures and hydrogen sulphide levels annually and to close pools that do not comply.
Disused bores will have to be filled in at the owner's cost. Testing and inspections of pools and bores will also be paid for by owners.
The death in 2005 of Rotorua man Tane Ruhi, who fell into a 100C thermal bath at Ohinemutu partly prompted the new rules, but the review is also a requirement of the Local Government Act.
Mark Bowie, owner/operator of the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, says pool owners should have the option to regulate the pool temperatures to suit clients' needs.
The council was wasting money on an unnecessary bylaw, he said.
"The best idea would be to throw it out as just a silly idea or maybe come to a compromise. We live with hot water all around us. There is always going to be someone who gets hurt and no one will stop that from happening, how far do you have to go?"
Hot pools, commercial and private, were already monitored by regional councils.
The council's statutory hearings committee has heard 13 submissions against the proposed Geothermal Safety Bylaw.
The council received 40 written submissions from Rotorua residents and commercial hot pool operators asking for changes to be made.
Changes to the proposed bylaw would not be announced until early 2008, Rotorua District Council general inspector Peter Brownbridge said.
"As a direct result of information received via the submission process we will be making changes to the bylaw."
