“Safety Breaks” at DPR pools?

Update from CM Parker:

“The 45/15 minute swimming rule is a new citywide policy following the near-drowning incident last week in Ft Lincoln. I’m told the policy is being implemented out of caution to make sure swimmers are safe.”

“Dear PoPville,

It looks like DPR has instituted a new policy at both indoor and outdoor pools to call a roughly (sometimes longer) “safety break” where all patrons have to exit the pool – even lap swimmers.

This safety break happens at different intervals at different pools. For example, at Turkey Thicket, the break is at the top of the hour (:00-15), but at Harry Thomas, it’s from :45-:00. It is nearly impossible to swim laps at any facility without having your workout interrupted. Yesterday, the staff at Harry Thomas tried to make a swim team get out of the pool 15 minutes after they started. There used to be a 15 minute “adult” swim at outdoor pools. I have never seen this policy implemented at indoor pools in the nearly 15 years that I have been using them.”

and

“New change to DC Pools Rules?? EVERYONE OUT OF THE WATER EVERY 45 min for a 15 min rest? Not just kids, but Adults too?! Very disruptive to Lap Swimmers & Adults. Did staff get the message wrong? Help!!”