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EHNews Release
January 15, 2026 by Central Valley Health District 0 Comments

VGB Act Compliance: What Public Aquatic Facilities Need to Know

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The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act(VGB Act) is a federal law designed to prevent suction-entrapment injuries in public and semi-public pools and spas.

Drain covers prevent hair, limb, mechanical, or body entrapment. All public and semi public pools and spas must use drain covers that are ANSI/APSP-16 compliant. A missing, damaged, unmarked, or expired cover must be replaced immediately.

Drain covers list the service life, and aquatic facilities must replace covers when that time has lapsed. The service life begins on the installation date of the drain cover. Service life may vary. Aquatic facilities must maintain written records of installation dates, models, and replacement schedule.

When replacing a drain cover:

    Links & Resources:

    2025 VBG Compliance Letter from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission

    • It must be compatible with the existing frame and sump.
    • It must have a flow rating equal to or higher than the system’s maximum flow.
    • It must be installed exactly according to manufacturer instructions.

    Staying compliant with the VGB Act ensures the facility meets federal safety standards and most importantly protects swimmers from dangerous suction hazards.

    What Facilities Should Do Now…

    • Inspect all suction outlets for proper markings and condition
    • Verify installation dates and replace expired covers
    • Reach out to a qualified professional for single drain pools and spas or when multiple drains are less than 3 feet apart.
      • A secondary anti-entrapment system is required to be installed in the pool or spa when on a single main drain or there are multiple drains less than 3 feet apart.
    • Maintain VGB documentation
    • Schedule routine safety inspections

    Improperly installing a drain cover or using the wrong drain cover makes even a certified drain cover non-complaint.

      Links & Resources:

      2025 VBG Compliance Letter from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission

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      News Release
      January 15, 2026 by Central Valley Health District 0 Comments

      January is National Radon Action Month

      BISMARCK, N.D. – During National Radon Action Month, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality reminds residents that cold weather months are a great time to test their homes for radon, a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

      Radon-related illness claims more than 21,000 lives in the United States annually. In North Dakota, 63 percent of homes have an elevated radon level above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Action Level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA lists North Dakota as Zone 1, meaning it has the highest potential for elevated radon levels. Because of this, the EPA and Environmental Quality encourage North Dakotans to test their homes for radon and address any elevated levels.

      “Radon is a cancer-causing, naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste, found throughout the soil in North Dakota,” said Justin Otto, Radon Program Coordinator for Environmental Quality. “Although radon harmlessly disperses in outdoor air at low levels, when trapped in buildings, it can be harmful, especially at high concentrations.”

      “Radon test kits are simple to use and come with easy-to-understand directions,” says Otto. Environmental Quality is giving away a limited number of free radon test kits to ND residents. If you would like to receive a free radon test kit in the mail, please visit deq.nd.gov/wm/radon and click on the button titled ‘Click here for a free radon test kit.’ After completing the required information, select ‘Request radon test kit.’ Kits will be mailed while supplies last. Test kits can also be purchased at most hardware stores, building supply stores, and online.

      “The good news is radon mitigation systems can manage high radon levels,” said Otto. By installing a mitigation system, homeowners can effectively lower the level of radon in their homes. These systems use many conventional building materials and require few specialized tools to install. These systems may be installed by a homeowner or a radon mitigation contractor. Once in place, a properly installed system will reduce radon gas and safely vent it to the outside.

      Visit deq.nd.gov/wm/radon for a list of radon mitigation contractors, information on how to test for radon, what radon results mean, and how to address elevated radon levels.

      More info on radon: here

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