en 
The Portuguese Association of Swimming Pool Professionals (APP) and APSI (Association for the Promotion of Child Safety) and DECO (Portuguese Association for Consumer Rights) presented to the Parliament a proposal for the creation of a bill that regulates the safety of swimming pools in AL, condominiums and private spaces for exclusively domestic use.
Currently, there is only specific legislation for swimming pools in water parks. With regard to swimming pools integrated in tourist resorts, although there is a legal framework that regulates their installation and operation, this legislation only sets technical standards. Swimming pools installed in local accommodation, condominiums and private spaces for exclusively domestic use have no rules in this regard.
Portugal has been haunted by the tragic scourge of drowning deaths in swimming pools for decades. Drowning continues to be one of the most frequent causes of accidental death in children in Portugal - in the last 11 years, on average, per year, 9 died and 22 were hospitalised following a drowning, with swimming pools being the most common water surface. In 2020 and 2021, the number of child drowning deaths almost doubled compared to the previous three years (14 and 12 deaths, respectively).
On the other hand, in swimming pool spaces, we are increasingly witnessing adverse sanitary and epidemiological events for the health of users and workers of these places. Alongside this, we face the pressing issue of extreme drought and consequent water scarcity and energy, water and economic efficiency.
In view of this problem, consumer protection associations, child safety promoters and swimming pool professionals argue that it is a priority to restructure the legislation applied to this sector, which is not enough for most types of swimming pools.
July is the month with the highest record of drownings and the legal framework of swimming pools in certain spaces cannot remain silent, as have been the deaths of so many children and young people.
Safety in swimming pools is essential if they are to be seen as spaces for leisure, well-being and health, and not as the scene of tragedies.
According to DECO, the solution will have to be a legislative initiative to promote specific regulation for most types of swimming pools.
Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252
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Unfortunately in this country if there is no revenue to be made by the authorities then there is no interest in the welfare of the citizens, also think about my situation, sinus and breathing issues yet everywhere you go people are smoking cigarettes like it's the last day on earth, why are there smokers at the entrance to public buildings, many people are specifically buying houses without pools in Australia because the regulations are increasing daily to protect children, but not in this country.
By John Martindale from Algarve on 23 Jul 2023, 12:36
Public swimming need strict regulations that users WAS themselves BEFORE going into the swimming pool. It is shocking how many people do not wash themselves properly before using a public pool. No wonder there are so many diseases at public swimming pools.
By S from Other on 23 Jul 2023, 16:56
Yay, more regulations!
By Bruno from Lisbon on 24 Jul 2023, 07:35
There needs to be building regulations regarding pools too.
We see many examples of the swimming pool being one or two steps from the sliding doors off the lounge.
So a few small unsupervised steps for an infant could mean death for that child.
In Australia every pool in a home has to have a fence with a child-proof gate.
By Trevor Roberts from Algarve on 24 Jul 2023, 10:25
Mr Martindale Australia the land of the fine and the home of the fee , and nanny knows best .
By John from Alentejo on 24 Jul 2023, 12:13
Agree John, not Martindale. I came to live in Portugal because it was NOT like Australia. Portugal does not need Australian big state...and yes, I am Australian.
By Bruce from Lisbon on 25 Jul 2023, 07:49
What's wrong with obliging parents to correctly supervise their children, instead of blaming it on the swimming pool? There are two million under-18s in Portugal, so 9 deaths a year from drowning is tiny. There will be more children killed in car crashes, so do we now ban cars from the roads too?
Tens of thousands of children use swimming pools without mishap each year. Swimming pools are not dangerous to anyone if there is proper supervision, and children don't act the goat. Let's not have more government interference for the tiny number of foolish and irresponsible people. You're never going to reduce child deaths from drowning to zero, it could still happen to a child in a river, for example.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 25 Jul 2023, 15:30