2008 was a year filled with many challenges....economically, politically, and socially.... But in terms of Aquatics it was actually quite uneventful.....

2009, on the other hand....is predicted to be considerably more challenging for your pool operations.

Here are just a few of the anticipated issues and how they may affect you, your customers, and your pool budget:

Virginia Graeme Baker Act: A highly stressful, confusing, and ill-organized effort to completely eradicate suction entrapment in commercial pools. An extremely noble and worthwhile cause, but mass confusion in the marketplace as most US pools are now in violation of the Federal Law and yet there are few available solutions to the larger commercial pools. Several sizes of compliant drain covers are not yet available, and won’t be available for many weeks. Even once they start rolling off the production line, it may take months for the supply to catch up with the demand. Then there are custom covers...which may cause an issue for many operators of larger commercial / institutional pools. Custom covers require lead times, engineering, and more involved installation techniques.....all which take time and money. For more information please see the other two articles issued this month, along with CESWaterQualityNews articles published in October, November, and December.

New Florida DOH code to be released in March 09: The first new DOH code since 2003, this code has been going under tireless revision for over 18 months. The Florida DOH code is already widely considered as one of the best in the US, and this revision will continue the never-ending process to update and refine. This revision used an unprecedented amount of input from both industry and pool owners alike...ending in a public hearing in late October.  While it is nearly impossible to predict what changes will make the final release, there appeared to be a large variety of changes planned including new stabilizer levels, potential for internet-based certification classes, recommendation for UV systems on all splash-pads, new testing requirements when using stabilizer,  and hopefully more relaxed sizing allowances on Ozone systems.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Getting Tough on Cryptosporidium (Crypto): The aquatic industry, several national health agencies, and many manufacturers are working toward finding new and better solutions to the rapid-fire spread of this stubborn and potentially-deadly disease in recreational pool water. There are filters that currently are rated, and others that will be rated to filter out Crypto in a single pass. There are also filter additives that are EPA-tested to help lesser filters reach the same level of filter effectiveness. Finally, there are state Codes that are MANDATING the use of UV Sterilizers on certain water features in order to destroy crypto in a single pass.

There are several major goals: One is to remove the “casual” Crypto that enters the pools on almost a daily basis from animal discharges, carry-in, and deficient sanitary habits of pool users of all ages. If this can be accomplished, then the daily potential of Crypto outbreaks, even without “fecal accidents” will be severely reduced.

The other goal is to compress the time that the pool needs to be closed after a “fecal accident”. Currently a fecal accident may force the pool to close for 6-8 hours or longer, which would completely destroy the economics of even the best-run water park. Using different control regimens, stronger oxidizers, or new treatment techniques......the industry may eventually find a way to further vaildate and reduce the treatment period required to adequately inactivate Crypto.

Chlorine price increases: The cost of every form of Chlorine experienced a major increase in the last quarter of ’08, continuing into the first quarter of ’09. This affected all types of chlorine. The most  affected form of chlorine was Trichlor tablets which have increased by more than 50% in the past few years. Bleach also experienced a severe price jump of over 25%. Cal Hypo was also affected in this same time period, with an increase of well over 20%.

While the amount and timing of this and other increases may vary from area to area...and from chemical to chemical.... the message is clear. Many feel that it is a good time to reduce that reliance on traditional chemicals....and a good time to invest in alternative sanitizers.

Great alternatives to 100% traditional Chlorine strategy includes Saline Chlorination, Peroxolytes, CES on-site bleach generation (coming in 09), Ozone Generators (now allowed a higher role under the new DOH code?), UV Sterilizers, and more.

Trimmed Budgets for Equipment Replacement: As the budgets for purchasing new equipment or upgrading to newer technologies get slashed in many organizations, the importance of maintaining your existing equipment becomes more critical. After all, the DOH codes require you to maintain your pool equipment in an operative condition at all times, and IMMEDIATELY REPLACE (with like equipment) in the event of any failure. With trimmed budgets, who can afford a surprise heater replacement, or a failed pool surface (that must be resurfaced per DOH code). New CES Preventive Maintenance programs, now more affordable and flexible than ever, assist you in keeping your existing equipment in peak performance at a low cost.

High Energy Costs: Even though some folks were more observant when gasoline was $4.25 a gallon...recent energy issues are reminding people that energy conservation will be a big deal for many years to come. HIgh energy costs rob money from your available operating funds, while giving you nothing in return. Your aquatic facility is a great place to look for energy savings as it is loaded with obvious and significant saving potential that can accomplished with little time, effort, or capital.

To meet this challenge, CES is adding to our educational program with our 5th certified course: “Proven Green Technologies for Commercial Swimming Pools”. This non-commercial course, available soon, is currently being registered with both the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and the Community Association Managers (CAM). So you will be able to receive continuing education credits while you learn new energy-saving techniques from one of the most experienced aquatic energy conservation companies in the industry.

Need for better communication and control: CES controllers, powered by BECS technology, are becoming more flexible and more powerful every year. Recently all BECS-manufactured Sys3 platforms (even those installed back in 1994) were given interactive (log keeping and alert notification) potential using an affordable RCM module. That is quite remarkable, don’t you think? A company retroactively gives a 15-year old control system the ability to communicate and equips it with a set of modern features, for an affordable price. You just don’t see that type of commitment from manufacturers in todays world.

New CES control systems now control strainers, pumps, heaters, filters, ozone, salt generators, and provide full pump room control. New energy-saving features such as interfaces with CES VFD’s provide you with maximum energy savings from a reliable and long-life control device.

Those are just a few of the new issues on the horizon. As always we will work diligently to communicate with you on the best ways to integrate these into your existing programs.

Hope you have a great 2009!.... Working together, we can help make your pool operation as safe, economical,  and worry-free as possible.

As always, please contact us with any questions or comments regarding any aspect of your aquatic facility.