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Duarte council approves emergency repairs to competition pool after major leaks; city expects pool back early July
Summary
Parks staff reported continuing water loss from the competition pool that required leak detection, diver inspection and trenching; the council approved an emergency repair contract with a local contractor and staff estimated the pool could reopen in early July if repairs stop the loss.
The Duarte City Council on June 15 approved an emergency repair contract after Parks and Recreation staff reported significant water loss from the city’s competition pool, which has been closed since April.
Parks and Recreation Director Manuel Enriquez told the council staff had retained a leak‑detection company and a certified diver to inspect the pool’s surge pit and plumbing. The investigation identified two additional leaks: one at the auto‑fill area and a smaller leak near the southwest pool lights, both inside the pool’s enclosed chemical/utility room, Enriquez said. He said the surge pit holds about 3,500 gallons of water.
“We were losing 5 times the amount of water that we, that we utilized last time this year,” Enriquez said, summarizing utility measurements staff used to detect the problem.
Staff recommended a local contractor, Condor (staff vetted multiple firms), to perform trenching and repairs, saying the firm could complete the work faster than an alternate bidder. Enriquez said staff initially removed perimeter grates and used dye testing and a pressurized test; a certified diver also inspected the surge pit. If the repairs stop the water loss, staff will refill and retest the system. If not, further trenching into the pool deck could be necessary.
Councilmembers asked about erosion risk, where the water was going and whether this pointed to a larger renovation need. Enriquez said the pool system is several decades old, that similar facilities are being rebuilt with above‑ground surge systems, and that a full renovation project is in the city’s construction‑document stage and under public‑health review. Enriquez said the emergency repair vendor should enable reopening sooner; staff estimated the pool could be operational in early July if the identified repairs cure the loss.
Councilmember Finley moved approval; the motion was seconded and carried. During the public meeting no dollar amount for the emergency contract was provided and the council did not vote on a renovation budget; officials said the emergency action addressed immediate water loss while a larger renovation remains in development.
