The great 17th-century British poet and writer, John Donne, was probably most famous for his quote, “No man is an island.” As is true of many challenging endeavors, that statement is entirely applicable in the world of aquatic design, engineering, construction, service, and ultimately, water quality management. Indeed, no one person can do it all …
Category Archives: Industry
Advantages of Automatic Pool Covers
A number of features can add tremendous value to a swimming pool. For example, anyone who’s been reading these discussions should know by now that I’m a huge proponent of modern water treatment technology and equally passionate about proper hydraulics, circulation, filtration, and automated controls. I love LED lights and durable polished aggregate finishes, and …
Prevention and Preparation – Aims of Professional Water Quality Managers
One of the key distinctions of professional water quality management is that it’s based on preventive planning instead of reactive crisis response. When applied correctly, the science and the art of water quality management are ultimately about avoiding problems before they happen, not after the fact. Or at least they should be. Sounds simple enough; …
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You Get What You Pay For – Why Investing in Superior Water Quality Systems and Management is Wise
One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of widespread acceptance of advanced water treatment technology — and indeed the entire approach to water quality management — is price. It’s a familiar refrain heard for as long as I can remember in this industry, and many other types of businesses: too many property owners …
The Role of Skimmers In Pool Systems – Why They Need Careful Consideration
There’s a yin and a yang to the art of building and maintaining pools and spas. On one hand, the water chemistry can be fairly complex. I realize that there are many people who make the case that water quality maintenance is not rocket science, which of course is true, but that should not dismiss …
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Advanced Oxidation Processes – What Are They And Why Do They Matter?
For the past few years, the aquatics industry has adopted a new concept known as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The term, which was first coined in 1987 by research scientist William Glaze, refers to a set of chemical reactions that produce a chemical species known as hydroxyl radicals (OH) or sometimes incorrectly referred to as …
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Avoiding Obsolescence – Intelligent Systems Design and Service Stay Relevant
I’d like to ask a provocative question: have swimming pools become obsolete? That might seem surprising coming from an aquatic professional who earns his living in the pool/spa/aquatics industry, and it’s a question I’ve never heard from any other professional, or consumer for that matter. Yet, I think it’s something worth considering as we look …
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“Balanced Water” – What Does It Mean?
Within the profession of water-quality management, there are several subcategories of expertise needed in order to be effective. One of the most important is how to manage and maintain mineral balance in water. “Balanced water” means water that is in a state of equilibrium. All water contains minerals, chiefly calcium, but many others as well. …
Pool Surfaces – Why Repairs Can’t Wait
The interior surface is a swimming pool’s largest and most important aesthetic feature. Surfaces are responsible for the pool’s appearance and also for bather comfort. A “healthy” surface will give you years of visual enjoyment and tactile pleasure when you’re in the water, and on top of that, it helps the pool remain watertight. Whether …
Addressing Tile and Coping Repairs – An Urgent Matter
Water may be the most wonderful and amazing of natural elements, but it also can be one of the most destructive. From its ability to carve the Grand Canyon to the slow rot that occurs when water finds its way into the walls of your home, you can never underestimate the damage it can do. …
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