Hearing on swimming pool code changes set for Wednesday

The Riverhead Town Board is hosting a public hearing Wednesday night on a proposed code change that would require all new swimming pools built near wetlands to have a pump-out and a 4×4-foot deep dry well for pool discharge.

The proposal aims to prevent harmful pool chemicals from seeping into groundwater. The hearing will begin shortly after 7 p.m.

The proposal, which was discussed at a December work session, was recommended by the town’s Conservation Advisory Council. However, board members said in December that it should be restricted to areas near wetlands.

Only pools less than two feet deep are exempt from the code.