Number of Green Pools On The Rise In Palm Desert

Palm Desert Code Enforcement has had its hands full this year battling against a rising number of stagnant or "green" pools.

If left unchecked, the swimming pools can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus, according to Pedro Rodriguez, the city's Senior Code Enforcement Officer.

"We don't mess around with West Nile Virus because it has been found in our city,'' Rodriguez said.

This year alone, 73 green pools have been reported in the city, and it is only June. Last year the city responded to 92 reports of green pools.

Banks that own homes with green pools or other blighted conditions are cited and can be fined between $1,000 to $25,000, Rodriguez said.

"They are held to the same standards as anyone in the city,'' he said.

*2011 numbers are reported through June 1, 2011.

Usually the problem of untreated pools comes from foreclosed or abandoned homes, according to Shawn Kilpatrick, a code enforcement officer.

Code Enforcement drains the pools and bills the homeowner, after posting a notice, he said.

Kilpatrick believes the number of foreclosures have been greater in the past few years than the housing slump in the 1990s. But he said the problems associated with foreclosed homes go beyond green pools to unkempt yards and exteriors.

"We've always dealt with them (foreclosures) because things happen,'' he said. "It was nothing (in the 90s) compared to this. This is all day long."

He said that the job can be trying at times, especially when seeking to uphold the city's ordinance against blight.

"I tell people, if you take care of your property, your loan is a private matter with the bank,'' Kilpatrick said.

He said that some people who are not in compliance with the city's ordinances can be hostile, but that officers are trained to back away.

"Ninety percent of people are pretty good,'' Kilpatrick said. "They understand there is some kind of violation."

He encouraged residents to keep up with their property even if they are low on cash.

"If they take care of their property, the city stays out of it,'' Kilpatrick said.