Chesterfield offers free pool inspections in July

Beginning today, Chesterfield County is offering free residential swimming pool inspections throughout July.

Partly in response to the June 17 drowning of a 2-year-old county boy, the Department of Building Inspections has declared July to be Swimming Pool Safety Awareness Month and will inspect pools without charge for safety-related issues.

If a safety-related problem is found, the inspections office will provide guidance in making needed repairs or obtaining required permits.

A residential swimming pool where a toddler drowned two weeks ago did not have the required permits and was in violation of building codes designed to prevent such tragedies, a county official said.

For a free pool inspection, Chesterfield residents can call the citizen-assistance line at (804) 748-1779. -- Mark Bowes