Pumps, Filters and Heaters in Cathedral City, CA
The pump and filter do most of the work. A newer variable-speed pump can use far less power than an old single-speed one. Ask about local rebates.
- Pump, filter and equipment repair. Pumps and heaters work long hours in the desert heat.
Water in Cathedral City comes from two districts. Desert Water Agency's groundwater has averaged 240 mg/L hardness (about 14 grains per gallon), with wells ranging from 94 to 340 mg/L. Hard water leaves scale on tile, salt cells and heaters.
Cathedral City rules that apply
A new pool or spa, or a pool alteration, needs a building permit from the city. California law also requires at least two drowning-prevention features when the permit is issued for a single-family home. Routine service like chemicals and cleaning needs no permit. A fee schedule on the city site lists $716 for a new pool or spa, but its pages were marked as proposed, so confirm the current fee.
- In R1 (single-family) zones, a pool must be fully enclosed by buildings, fences or walls at least 5 feet high.
- Pool gates must be self-latching, and the city code puts the latch at least 4 feet above the ground.
- All fences and walls must be in place and approved by the building inspector before water is allowed in the pool.
- Pools must be at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, and cannot sit in a required front yard.
- Pool pump and filter equipment must be at least 10 feet from any property line. The city planner can reduce this if a solid masonry wall at least 5 feet high stands between the equipment and the neighbor.
- State guidance for pool barriers says 60 inches minimum height, no more than 2 inches of gap at the bottom, no gaps that pass a 4 inch sphere, and gates that open away from the pool and self-close and self-latch with the latch at least 60 inches up.
- A new pool at a single-family home needs at least two of the state's listed drowning-prevention features when the permit is issued.
- The city enforces keeping pools in healthy condition (CCMC 13.80.120) and bans mosquito breeding places (CCMC 13.80.165), which covers neglected green pools.