Out Of The Water

  The Science Behind the Tint Blonde swimmers often return from the pool with an unexpected souvenir: a greenish tint to their hair. While it’s easy to blame chlorine, the real culprit is copper—its presence in pool water, combined with oxidation, leads to that telltale hue, especially in light or porous hair. Copper, Not Chlorine, Is to Blame Copper ions—from pennies turning green to the Statue of Liberty’s patina—oxidize when exposed to pool water and chlorine. As copper oxidizes, it leaches into the water and binds to the proteins in hair shafts, depositing green-tinted particles. How Copper Enters Pool Water Municipal or Well Water Sources Many well-water supplies naturally contain dissolved copper. Even some city water systems can have elevated copper levels, seeding pools with the metal. Copper-Based Algaecides Copper is a powerful algaecide, so many pool owners use copper-bearing treatments to prevent algae blooms. Overuse or improper dosing raises copper concentration...

  Glass in Swimming Pools and How to Prevent Injuries Swimming pools are meant to be oases of fun and relaxation, but a single shard of glass can turn them into dangerous traps. Whether it’s a stray bottle, shattered tabletop, or broken light fixture, glass poses unique risks that often go unnoticed—until someone gets hurt. Understanding these dangers and implementing strict protocols is essential for any pool operator, public facility, or homeowner. Common Sources of Glass Intrusion Beverage Containers : Beer, soda, and wine bottles are frequent culprits at pool parties. Glass Table Tops &ware : Outdoor tables and dishware can topple in wind gusts or collisions. Pool Lighting : Overhead fixtures and internal pool lights use glass components that may shatter under stress. No matter the source, once glass enters the water it becomes nearly invisible, making removal and injury prevention extremely challenging. Why Glass Is Especially Dangerous Invisible Underwater Glass shards...

 1. Equip Yourself with the Right Tools • Invest in Quality Equipment: First ensure you have the basics such as a net, pole, brush, vac hose, vac head, and test kit. There are some great options in the industry today that can make your life much easier. I am always looking for equipment that is durable, long lasting, and maintainable. Look for nets with replaceable parts to prevent you from having to buy a whole net every time you catch a snag and get a rip in it. • Advanced Tools: Look for equipment that can help streamline your work. The faster and more efficiently you can work the more profitable you will be. I remember when I went from manually vacuuming every pool I serviced to purchasing my first Riptide which allowed me to cut my service time in half. 2. Master Water Chemistry and Maintenance • Regular Testing: If you are not regularly testing your customer’s pool or spa water you really are doing them a disservice. Always make sure no matter what method you are using to tes...

  Recent Legal Waves in the Aquatic Industry The aquatic industry—encompassing public pools, waterparks, splash pads and more—has seen a surge of high-profile litigation in recent years. These cases not only spotlight operator liability and public health concerns but also establish precedents that ripple across the sector. Below, we explore four pivotal lawsuits reshaping aquatics law and risk management. 1. Seneca Lake Park Spray Park Cryptosporidium Outbreak In 2005, an outbreak of cryptosporidium at the Seneca Lake Park Spray Park in Geneva, New York, sickened thousands of visitors. Plaintiffs filed the industry’s first class-action lawsuit, totaling 2,538 claimants. They allege that inadequate filtration and supervision led to the widespread waterborne illness. Attorneys expect settlement talks to intensify once discovery concludes—this could set a new benchmark for operator responsibility and engineering standards in spray parks and interactive water features. 2. Six F...