Pool season has started in many parts of Green Country, and many parents say safety is a top priority.
"You can look around at all the lifeguards, you feel reassured that they're looking out for your kids while they're in the pool," said Brett Koppe, who brought his three children to Broken Arrow's Neinhuis Aquatic Facility.
Lifeguards, flotation devices and water clarity are all part of safety inspections at public pools.
“If you can't see the main drain when you walk into a facility, I don't think I'd be swimming there," said Roger Roth from the Tulsa Health Department.
Roth inspected Neinhuis pool for water clarity, pH and chlorine levels to ensure they meet state guidelines.
"We're trying to get the color to match as close to the middle as we possibly can," explained Roth while holding a test kit.
The colors met the safety standards.
THD does this twice during pool season, and park facilities personnel have to test and log the water levels four times during the day.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report at least one violation in 80% of public pool inspections.
The most common violation, and the most dangerous, is pH levels.
“As far as Tulsa County, those hazardous items we don't find too often, and if we do, we get it fixed right away," said Roth.
If chlorine or pH levels are too high or too low, or if the main drain isn't visible, then the pool could be closed down.
It's a step local pools haven't taken, and one they hope stays that way.
“It sounds like a big burden, but they have a big responsibility for the citizens of Tulsa," said Koppe, "If we didn't feel safe or looked out for, we wouldn't come.”
