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Health inspectors: Garland does not inspect private pools; city treats stagnant water and enforces commercial standards
Summary
City health inspectors told the Garland Environmental and Community Board they do not perform routine inspections of private residential pools but will respond to stagnant-water complaints within two working days, treat with larvicide, issue violation notices and may require draining or issue citations if owners fail to comply.
City of Garland health inspectors Dahlia Reyes and Madeline briefed the board on June rules for residential and commercial pools, mosquito control, and enforcement steps for stagnant water.
“Just so you know, we do not inspect residential pools,” said Dahlia Reyes, a health inspector, stressing that private pool owners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and safety. Reyes and Madeline said the health department will respond to complaints about stagnant water—those complaints receive a response within two working days, staff may photograph and treat the water with larvicide, and the department will issue a notice of violation giving owners 15 days to correct the problem. Madeline said the department follows up at the 15-day mark and, if noncompliance continues, gives a 48-hour deadline before ordering the pool drained or pursuing citations.
The inspectors emphasized that fencing and other safety problems trigger immediate responses: where fencing is missing or damaged the department may install temporary fencing and, if repairs cannot be made, require the pool be drained. They also said mosquito-abatement is coordinated with an outside contractor and that West Nile–positive findings prompt targeted treatments. Board members asked whether initial notices carry a municipal-court citation; Reyes and Madeline clarified that the first step is a notice of violation (not a citation) and that municipal court handles citations if enforcement reaches that stage.
Commercial pools receive routine inspections. The inspectors said they test daily chemical records and water-balance metrics (free chlorine, total chlorine, pH, calcium hardness, total alkalinity), confirm lifesaving equipment and secure fencing, and will close facilities for unsafe conditions. Inspectors reminded property managers that a certified pool operator (CPO) should maintain daily chemical logs and that staff are expected to monitor pools between city inspections. Presentation materials will be emailed to board members on request.
