Happy children splash in purified waves while their parents perfect their tans in nearby lounge chairs.

It's a familiar summer scene, and one that despite water shortages will be here next week as scheduled - in most South Plains towns, at least.

"Our pools are going to be fine and open on time," said Rob Wilkinson, executive director of the

Plainview YMCA, which operates the municipal swimming pools in that city and Tulia.

Lubbock's stage 2 water restrictions won't prevent pools from opening in the Hub City next week either, though that wasn't the case a few years back, said Aubrey Spear, the city's director of water resources.

From the pools in people's backyards to the ones owned by the city, all local swimming pools were in danger of remaining empty the summer of 2012, Spear said. Many owners considered drilling a water well to keep pools filled as the city approached stage 2 drought restrictions.

"The council convened before we went into stage 2, and based on public input, they decided they would change the ordinance and move the restriction on swimming pools and hot tubs into stage 3," he said.

Moving into the more intense stage 3 restrictions would prohibit "the use of water to fill, refill or add to any indoor or outdoor swimming pools or hot tubs," Spear said, though he doesn't anticipate that happening anytime soon.

However, if Lubbock were to reach stage 3, Joyland's water rides would be in the same boat as local swimming pools, Spear said.

Joyland's wet rides operate using a water reservoir that owner David Dean said he tries to only refill when absolutely necessary to help with conservation efforts.

"Since we treat it like a swimming pool, all we really need to do is make up for evaporation losses," he said.

Last weekend's rainfall was a boost of confidence for the park owner, and Dean said he hopes to eventually add a few more water rides.

Lubbock Water Rampage, however, is a different story.

The park uses about as much water as a small farm, owner Mike Freyburger said, and like many farms, doesn't buy its water from the city.

The summer attraction instead pumps water from the same well it's gotten the resource from for 28 years. Because well water doesn't use the city's potable water supply, Spear said it isn't restricted by the ordinance.

Both amusement parks have already swung open their gates for the summer months and Lubbock's public swimming pools will open Tuesday.

Other towns aren't so fortunate.

Crosbyton's pool will remain closed for the summer, as it did last year, to maintain a policy that restricts water use. As one of four member cities of the White River Municipal Water District, the town is adhering to stage 4 of a drought-contingency plan.

And before Crosbyton water enthusiasts get too frustrated, it helps to know they could have had it worse - the City Council declined a chance to enter stage 5 restrictions only after heavy rain fell last weekend, City Administrator Margot Hardin said.

The nearby town of Ralls shares Crosbyton's White River membership, but will keep its pool open through an alternative water source. Staff are taking water to the pool from a city-owned well that is not affiliated with the White River district, said Gloria Velasquez, Ralls city administrator.

"That will help our citizens because if the citizens choose not to fill their personal swimming pools, at least we'll have somewhere for them," Velasquez said.

In Brownfield, city staff just filled the 146,000-gallon Brownfield Family Aquatic Center and are preparing for opening weekend.

Last summer, they chose not to pursue an option to leave the pool filled all year to preserve the water. The problem with that is the maintenance and chemicals involved in keeping the water from freezing in the off-season.

"It's more cost-effective to drain it than it is to try to save the water," said Scott Jackson, the city's director of parks and recreation.

The idea of not filling the pool at all crossed a few water-conscious minds at City Hall, but seemed unfair to the taxpayers who'd invested in it - the $2.7 million facility was built just six years ago.

"I don't think it's a waste of water. The public utilizes it," Jackson said.

To the northwest, Levelland's city pool opens Tuesday.

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