A new federal law regarding the safety of public pools and spas will go into effect today and could bring trouble to neighborhood swimming pools.

The law, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, sets new guidelines for a pool's cover and drainage system to prevent suction entrapment.

Public outdoor pools in the area won't have to comply with the new law until they open this spring, but Jim Conley, the president of the CSRA Swim League, said neighborhoods may have some trouble bringing their outdoor pools up to code before they open, which could jeopardize the summer swim season.

Mr. Conley said upgrading the pools could cost as much as $3,000 each.

"I would anticipate that the majority of pools in the area would not be in compliance," he said. "It's too early to say what would happen if these pools have to close. We're just trying to be incredibly proactive about the situation."

The law was named for the granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, who died when she was trapped underwater by a suction drain in a spa in 2002.

The Richmond County Recreation Department's two public pools are not in compliance with the new law.

However, Roger Wexler, aquatics supervisor at the Augusta Aquatics Center, said his department has taken the appropriate steps to make sure the indoor pools at the aquatics center and the Brigham Swim Center remain open and up to code.

"At the aquatics center we're working to get there," Mr. Wexler said.

"We feel confident that all we have to do is get the right entrapment covers, and we're in the process of getting that. One of the biggest problems has been the lack of entrapment covers available."

High demand on necessary parts because of today's deadline has left some indoor pool facilities throughout the nation lacking the proper upgrades and facing possible closure.

Mr. Wexler said he didn't expect either of the county's indoor pools to be shut down despite the deadline.

"As long as we're trying to comply with it, we should be OK," Mr. Wexler said. "We're not concerned with any safety issues on that."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in charge of enforcement of the law, issued a statement on Monday with their enforcement intentions.

"Considering the limited resources and enormous mission of the agency, CPSC will prioritize enforcement of the law to facilities that pose the greatest risk of drain entrapment to children," the statement said.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com