Public pools are inspected every summer — and 8 out of 9 in Tipton County had at least one violation when health inspectors showed up this season. Two were shut down the same day inspectors arrived.

Since inspections began in early May, the Tennessee Department of Health has visited nine public pools across the county. The results reveal a consistent pattern: crumbling infrastructure, debris in the water, and in two cases, a chemical failure serious enough to force immediate closure.

The Closures

The most serious findings came during the week of June 8, when inspectors found zero measurable chlorine at two pools — an Imminent Health Hazard that triggers closure on the spot.

Green Meadows Development Pool (1506 Munford Ave., Munford) scored a 92 on its routine inspection and was shut down immediately, with the managing agent notified. Beyond the chlorine failure, inspectors found low pH and total alkalinity, and debris in the pool.

Comfort Inn Hotel Pool (10772 Highway 51, Atoka) scored a 91 and was also closed the same day. Four violations were cited: no measurable chlorine, no toilet tissue or paper towels in the restroom, cracked pool decking, and debris in the water.

Both pools passed follow-up inspections two days later and were cleared to reopen. But at the Comfort Inn, three of the four original violations — the cracked decking, missing supplies, and debris — were still present at the follow-up. Only the chlorine had been corrected.

The Near-Misses

Mallard Cove Apartment Pool (3001 Mt. Carmel Rd., Covington) scored a 90 on June 16 — the lowest routine score of the season — and was required to undergo a follow-up inspection. Four violations were cited:

• Cracks in concrete pool decking
• Algae forming along the bottom of the pool
• Debris in the water
• No tennis balls attached to either life ring (priority violation)

That last item matters. In an emergency, those markers help a life ring land where it needs to go. No one was present to sign the inspection report when the inspector left. A follow-up on June 24 brought the score up to 94 — but the pool had already been operating under those conditions.

Covington City Pool (760 Bert Johnston Ave., Covington) opened the season on May 5 with a 94 and a mandatory follow-up. Inspectors found a cracked deck, pH levels that were too low, and debris in the bottom.

Rose of Sharon Campground Pool (3065 Candy Ln., Burlison) scored a 94 on June 18 with three violations: cracked pool decking, low total alkalinity (just 40 ppm — the standard calls for 80–200 ppm), and debris both floating on the surface and settled to the bottom.

The Patterns

Two violations appeared at pool after pool this season:

Cracked concrete pool decking showed up at 7 of 9 pools. On its own, it’s not a water safety issue — but it’s a slip-and-fall hazard at a facility full of wet, barefoot people, and the fact that it’s nearly universal suggests a widespread deferred maintenance problem.

Debris in the water appeared at 7 of 9 pools. This ranges from leaves and dirt on the surface to material that has settled to the bottom — not an immediate health hazard in a well-chlorinated pool, but a sign that routine upkeep is lacking.

Water chemistry issues appeared at 4 pools. Two of those — Green Meadows and Comfort Inn — were severe enough to constitute an Imminent Health Hazard and trigger closure. The other two (Covington City and Rose of Sharon) had pH or alkalinity readings outside the acceptable range at the time of inspection.

The Bright Spots

The Woodlands Pool in Atoka (185 Capital Way) was the only pool in the county to earn a perfect 100 this season — zero violations, nothing to correct. It stands alone.

Covington Country Club earned solid scores on both its pools: 96 on the main pool and 98 on the kiddie pool, both inspected June 2. Franklin Square Pool #1 in Munford also scored a 96 with only minor issues.

What to Watch

Pool season is still underway. The two closures reopened quickly, and most follow-up scores improved. But the near-universal cracked decking and debris suggest these issues aren’t being caught between seasons, they’re being found by inspectors when pools are already open and people are already swimming.

Full inspection reports are public records, available at inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee.

Source: Tennessee Department of Health