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$5 Billion Swimming Pool Industry Sinking With California Drought

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — The backyard swimming pool is becoming the latest victim of the lingering California drought.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports city and utility drought policies across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond are increasingly limiting how often pools can be filled and by how much — and sometimes barring fill-ups entirely. Some residents are willingly removing their swimming pools.

Pool removals can cost about $15,000. Most backyard pools were built in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Now instead of repairs, owners would rather just fill them in.

Chris Burd, owner of Dig & Demo, said his company pulled out 150 pools in the past year.

But representatives of California's $5 billion pool industry say they haven't felt much of a hit from efforts to edge out the amenity.

They are hoping to change the way people view pools during the drought by launching the 'Let's Pool Together' campaign.

The California Pool and Spa Association says an average pool in California requires about 32,000 gallons of water in its first year, and much less in following years. That's compared to a 1,200-square-foot lawn which can use up to 44,000 gallons of water a year.

"When you put the concrete around it's a big net savings," Mike Geremia, president of Geremia Pools said.

It can be challenging to change public perception though and that's why Geremia and a board member of the state's Pool and Spa Association is working with local water districts.

A water company that serves most of San Jose and Silicon Valley suburbs has banned customers from filling new swimming pools and draining and refilling existing ones, with some exceptions. Violators can face fines of up to $500 a day.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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