Powerful drains at the bottoms of public swimming pools and spas must be outfitted with safety covers – no later than today – under new federal regulations.

But operators of pools such as those at the Sacramento YMCA say they're still hustling to get the drains covered.

"We've ordered all the covers and they've been on back-order for some time," said Ron Payne, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Superior California.

Ultimately, pools that haven't covered their drains or taken other safety steps mandated by the feds could be shut down.

Colleen Maitoza, a supervisor with Sacramento County's Environmental Management Department, said Sacramento and most other California counties will not be sending out the swimming-pool police to shut down pools.

"Even so, there's still a responsibility for pool owners to obey the federal law," she said. Owners and operators could face not only civil litigation but criminal charges and fines if an injury or death results, she said.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act requires that public pools – including those at schools, health clubs, recreation centers, hotels and apartments – and other recreational water attractions retrofit drains that could suck someone underwater. The law does not apply to residential pools, and pools that are not open for the season won't have to comply until they do.

The new law is named for the 7-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker, who drowned when the suction from a spa drain entrapped her in 2002. The law basically requires two things: federally approved drain covers that block any suction and a two-drain system or approved alternative method that diffuses suction through drains.

Because swimming pools are the hallmark of the YMCA, Payne said, the organization has perfected safety measures, including dual drains.

"If we thought there was any risk to a child, we would close the pool," he said.

The Environmental Management Department annually inspects all 2,200 public pools and spas in Sacramento County and has been reviewing plans by operators to meet the new standards. Maitoza estimates that roughly 20 percent of them have submitted plans.

Newer pools in Sacramento County already have dual drains, Maitoza said. Older ones will have to comply.

Costs for making the changes are estimated to range from $1,000 to $15,000 for extensive drain alteration.

The bigger problem could be getting drain covers for larger pools, because they weren't manufactured fast enough for demand, she said.

In Elk Grove, one of the recreation district's four pools is open all year. Several months ago, the Cosumnes Community Service District ordered new drain covers, said Steve Capps, a spokesman for the district. They won't be delivered until January.

The pool, which already has a dual-drain system, will remain open.

"We feel we've done our due diligence," Capps said.

The National Swimming Pool Foundation has expressed concerns that if pools are closed, opportunities to teach children how to swim will diminish, said Tom Lachocki, the foundation's chief operating officer.

Drowning is a far greater risk for children, Lachocki said.

Fatalities from entrapment in a spa or pool amount to about one a year, but more than 700 children between one and 14 years drown annually, according to the federal government.

Call The Bee's M.S. Enkoji, (916) 321-1106.