(Photo by Shelley Hanson) A view of the Paden City swimming pool is shown through a fence topped with barbed wire. There are several items at the pool that need to be addressed before its permit can be renewed by the Wetzel-Tyler County Health Department.

The Paden City swimming pool has a whole list of items that need remedied before the facility can reopen in the future.

During the May 5 City Council meeting, Mayor Clyde Hochstrasser said some of the items that need fixed at the pool include the sanding and repainting of the pool’s bowl; sewer line work; and repairs to a hot water heater.

There are some additional issues involving keeping the pool’s water clean and healthy to swim in as well. Hochstrasser said he was told by the Wetzel-Tyler County Health Department that the pool’s chlorination system apparently was not working properly as past testing of the water showed it was contaminated with E Coli, which is a bacteria found in fecal matter.

The pool’s skimmer and two drains also need to be repaired.

Hochstrasser said he asked the health department for a complete list of items that need fixed at the pool, claiming that officials would not give him one.

“They won’t give us a list,” he said.

In response to Hochstrasser’s claim, health department Administrator Ashley Guiler said there is no list to give the city. The health department is required to inspect certain aspects of the pool to make sure it is safe for people to use, to make sure it is up to state code. The city was already made aware of those items. However, the health department does not inspect the inner workings of the pool house. A speciality pool company would need to do that, she said.

“If there is no chlorine in the water, something is wrong. … There is no list I can provide. Someone needs to look at the pump and skimmers,” she said.

Hochstrasser said during the meeting that the engineering firm Thrasher was supposed to examine the pool last month and help determine its issues, but no one has arrived, to date. He said he plans to contact the company about having someone check it out.

Guiler said the health department sanitarian is required by law to check the pool’s water quality, makes sure the pool has its own water testing kit on site, makes sure the chlorine and Ph levels are correct, makes sure in the deep end that the bottom can be seen, makes sure there is rescue gear outside and makes sure there are lifeguards working.

In regards to mechanical equipment, the health department does not inspect it, but can make inferences that it needs to be checked by a professional if the water quality is not correct.

Guiler said the pool’s permit cannot be renewed until it passes inspection. She noted she sent a letter to the city in December explaining this.