A new law goes into affect at midnight, for public swimming pools across the country.

And many pools, including the two Twin Ports Y.M.C.A's may have to close, if they can't comply with the legislation.

By Federal mandate all public pools must be fitted with special drain covers that protect children against dangerous suction.

Now there are many different manufacturers of these protective covers, and many types of drains and plumbing systems... so it's taken quite some time for companies to develop the necessary fittings.

Spokesmen at the YMCAs in the Twin Ports say these obstacles have prevented them from complying with this new law.

So they may have to close.

"We really want to make sure everybody who's an owner and operator knows that we can shut you down other people can shut you down so do the right thing get into compliance as quickly as possible," said Scott Wolfson, a Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson.

But it's not happening as quickly as the law requires...all pools must be ready, by midnight tonight.

"We will not be.
We will be in compliance within 3-4 weeks," said Duluth Y.M.C.A. Executive Director, Jeff Palmer

"We're not in compliance, but we are trying and being as pro active as we possibly can," said Michael Kraft, Executive Director of the Superior Y.M.C.A.

Both the Superior and Duluth Y- M- C- A's have been working closely with their pool drain manufacturers... but both have encountered problems.

"For YMCA's in Minnesota and across the country, some of them have these unique drains they're called L-drains and right now there's not a cover to help meet that need.
Then there are some who need very large drain covers, and there is a significant back log," Wolfson said.

For both Y.M.C.A's, getting the needed parts is the problem.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, or CPSC, is in charge of enforcing the new legislation.

"What were trying to do is build relationships with state and local health departments to help keep our eyes and ears on the ground as we enforce this law," Wolfson explained.

The CPSC looks at this legislation as a child safety measure.
Ensuring tragedies like the death of a Twin Cities six- year- old don't happen again.

A Douglas County Health official said they are working with the state to help out with inspections to make sure compliance is reached as soon as possible.

Because this is such a far- reaching law, it's hard to inspect each and every public pool.

A Minnesota Health Department spokesperson says they will work to first inspect those pools which they believe aren't following the legislation.

But for the most part, unless pools are inspected and ordered to shut down it looks like they will stay open.