Drought Has Pool Pros Looking For Ways To Recycle Backwash

The drought in California has pool pros looking for ways to recycle backwash and conserve water in swimming pools.

Published

on

By

The ongoing drought in the Western states suddenly has pool professionals looking at innovative new ways to conserve water. Consequently, one new approach has been to recycle the backwash from filter cleanings.

The drought that has plagued many parts of the United States in recent years has been nothing short of disastrous. Record low levels of precipitation have led to widespread water shortages, with many states implementing mandatory water restrictions. The situation has been particularly dire in California, which recorded the driest 22-year period in at least 1,200 years, according to a new study.

Recent storms have added to the snowpack in the Sierras which supplies 30% of California's water. Experts however say that it isn't enough. While these storms have provided some relief, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on the mega-drought that California has been experiencing.

For now, major cities like Los Angeles have managed to avoid instituting measures that would prevent homeowners from filling swimming pools. The problem does however make a good case for backwash recycling as it has a direct impact on water usage.

A study conducted in 2010 by the California Urban Water Conservation Council looked at ways that water is lost in swimming pools. The study pointed out that the primary causes of water loss in pools are leaks, splash out, evaporation, disinfection, and filter operation.

The topic was certainly a hot-button issue at last year's Pool Industry Expo in Monterrey, CA. It's also a reason why products like Best Clear System have suddenly become very relevant to the conversation about water conservation. The system promises to help homeowners save thousands of gallons of water while keeping their pool filters effortlessly clean and helping protect the environment.

To get a better understanding of what the Best Clear System actually does, we spoke with industry veteran and CEO of Aquos Pools, Harold Tapley.

"In a nutshell, the Best Clear System actually clears the water so you don't have to dump it on the ground and lose it," said Tapley.

"When you’re discharging, be it backwashing or when you’re washing the cartridge out, you’re getting salts into our fresh water supply. It's going into the ground or drain in the street and down to the creeks and streams," explained Tapley, "that creates a conundrum for our industry because it's almost like Vegas. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, what happens in the backyard sort of stays in the backyard because you can't really see what's going on. When you see that big white stain in the gutter from D.E. being discharged or somebody out there hosing a cartridge off in the gutter, that really brings it to your attention."

"If you’re backwashing, the things that are in that backwash, besides salts and chlorine are metals. Typically it's copper which is deadly to algae in a pool, of course, but when it enters our ecosystem, it creates a lot of problems," said Tapley, "the discharge itself typically is just sediments of clay or sand, but it does have some stuff in it that's not good for the environment."

Many pool professionals have already begun getting fined according to Tapley. "Here where I live in the Central Valley, the city has actually hired water patrol police. We need real police, but the water patrol, they’re out. There are huge stiff fines for wasting water and dumping it into storm drains and improper disposal is costing pool service technicians a ton of money when they don't do things the right way. At P.I.E. I ran into several service guys that told me that they had already been fined up to $1,000 for backwashing cartridges in the street," said Tapley.

To put the numbers into the proper context, Tapley explained just how much water is used in backwashing filters each year. "A typical backwash for a sand filter is 200 to 250 gallons and it's recommended to backwash them once a week," explained Tapley, "that's over 5,000 gallons a year of freshwater that you have to put back in the pool to replace it. Keep in mind that the skimmer starts grabbing air because the water level drops. So you got to double that. I mean, you’re really talking about 10,000 gallons per pool."

"When you’re cleaning the filter and you dump a couple of hundred gallons of water out of the ground, you lose that pretreated water," explained Tapley, "and when you’re putting the fresh water back in, then you got to go right back to your test kit and start readjusting the pool. The service guys realize that every time that they have to put more chlorine in because they just top the pool back up and give it a couple of hundred gallons of water. So that said, I feel like when we have pretreated water that we’re capturing and putting it right back in, that is a savings right there itself. If it is a saltwater pool, of course, then we’re saving the salt water."

Interested in learning more about recycling backwash using the Best Clear System? Listen to our entire conversation with Harold Tapley on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Best Pool Cleaners You Can Buy On Amazon

Fluidra To Acquire German Pool Equipment Distributor

Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine.To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

Drought Leads France to Ban Swimming Pool Sales

Relax, The Rich Aren't Using All The Water To Fill Their Pools

Las Vegas Sets Max Limit of 600 Sq. Feet on Residential Pools

Let's Pool Together & Save Our Water Team Up To Promote Water Conservation

How the Pool Industry Is Part of the Drought Solution

California Pool Industry Looking at Another Drought

Get to know Aiper's 2023 Robotic Pool Cleaners

Published

on

By

When it comes to pool maintenance, Aiper has been making waves in the industry with their line of robotic pool cleaners. Consumers have been impressed by the technology and quality, and let's face it, the price point. With a rapidly increasing base of customers, they have fast become a trusted brand with pool owners. We got to take a sneak peek of their new products earlier this year at the International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Las Vegas and then caught up again with them at CES. On both occasions, there was a line in front of their booth of folks waiting to see the latest products.

With their 2023 lineup of pool cleaners, Aiper continues to impress pool owners and professionals alike with cutting-edge technology and superior cleaning performance. We’ll take a look at what's new and delve into the exciting features of Aiper's 2023 products Seagull SE and Seagull Plus, as well as the Elite Pro and the Seagull Pro.

Let's start with the Seagull SE. This cleaner really is an above-ground pool owner's dream as it does quite a lot at a very attractive price point, consequently, it's become one of the best-selling above-ground cleaners on Amazon and is highly rated by consumers with 4/5 stars.

This cordless robotic pool cleaner eliminates the hassle of messy hoses and tangled cords. With a simple power-on and submerge, the Seagull SE automatically begins its cleaning process, giving you a hands-free experience. The increased battery life is a significant improvement, taking only 2.5 hours to fully charge and providing over 90 minutes of continuous cleaning.

The Seagull SE is ideal for above-ground pools or small in-ground with flat floors. Powerful dual-drive motors ensure a thorough cleaning by effortlessly tracking down and collecting various types of dirt and debris.

The self-parking feature brings an added touch of convenience as the cleaner automatically stops near the edge of your pool when the battery is low or the cleaning cycle is complete. With its LED indicator, you can easily keep track of the cleaner's status. The Seagull SE truly lets your robot do the dirty work, giving you back your weekends to enjoy your pool.

Next up, the Seagull Plus takes cleaning performance to the next level. This cordless pool vacuum boasts stronger power suction and an extended cleaning time of 110 minutes. Equipped with powerful dual-drive motors, the Seagull Plus effortlessly tackles all types of debris, from dirt to stones, providing you with a pristine pool.

The cordless design ensures easy setup with one-click activation, making it a hassle-free experience. With its longer battery life, the Seagull Plus is perfect for larger round above-ground pools or in-ground flat-floored pools.

Additionally, the sophisticated water release system drains the cleaner in seconds, allowing for easy retrieval and portability. The LED indicator keeps you informed about the cleaner's status, ensuring a worry-free cleaning experience. Let the Seagull Plus do the dirty work while you enjoy your free time.

For those looking to venture into the wall climber market, Aiper introduces the Elite Pro. This cordless robotic pool cleaner is designed to tackle not only the pool floor but also the pool walls, making it suitable for all pool types, including above ground and in-ground pools of any shape. With its dual motor system and large inlet, the Elite Pro excels in collecting and filtering more dirt and debris, saving you time and leaving you with a crystal-clear pool.

Despite its remarkable cleaning capabilities, the Elite Pro weighs only 10 pounds, making it ultra-portable and easy to handle. The quick water release feature ensures effortless storage. Fast charging and improved battery life are additional benefits, with a full charge taking only 2-2.5 hours and providing up to 120 minutes of cleaning time.

When the battery is low, the Elite Pro's self-parking ability automatically brings it near the pool's edge for easy retrieval. Coupled with a 2-year warranty and worry-free customer service, the Elite Pro is a great addition to Aiper's lineup.

Lastly, we have the Seagull Pro, Aiper's most advanced pool cleaner to date. This cordless robotic pool cleaner is a powerhouse that rivals more sophisticated wall climbers like the Polaris 9450 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC. Featuring the world's first quad-motor system and WavePath Navigation Technology, the Seagull Pro delivers maximum efficiency at a minimal cost.

With its four-wheel drive system, the Seagull Pro effortlessly climbs pool walls and effectively scrubs the waterline, providing a comprehensive cleaning experience. The quad-motor system utilizes up to 200W of power to filter 130 gallons of water per minute, ensuring superior suction and trapping even the smallest debris, from leaves to dirt, pebbles, and sticks. The Seagull Pro's cleaning modes allow you to target specific trouble spots in your pool, ensuring a thorough clean every time.

One of the standout features of the Seagull Pro is its WavePath Navigation, which enables the pool vacuum to work under a fixed pattern, unlike traditional random patterns. This advanced navigation system maximizes pool coverage while minimizing energy consumption, making it 10 times more energy-efficient compared to other pool cleaners. The cordless design eliminates the hassle of tangled cords and complicated accessories. Simply drop the Seagull Pro into the pool, and it will take care of the cleaning while you enjoy your leisure time.

With an impressive runtime of up to 180 minutes, the Seagull Pro offers 60% longer battery life compared to other pool cleaners. Thanks to the improved battery system, the built-in 9000mAh battery powers the Seagull Pro for extended cleaning sessions. And with a shortened charging time of just 90 minutes, you can get back to enjoying your pool sooner.

The Seagull Pro is designed to handle pools of all shapes, including in-ground and above-ground pools, and can clean pools up to 3200 square feet in size. Its versatility and power make it an ideal choice for pool owners seeking a high-performance pool cleaner that can tackle even the most challenging cleaning tasks.

Yes, there's plenty to be excited about and with this fresh lineup of products. Aiper has underscored that they plan to continue to refine and improve upon their product line.

As you gear up for the summer season, we hope this look at Aiper's 2023 lineup of pool cleaners has helped better educate you about their latest products and has given you some insights into the exciting features and capabilities of these innovative products. Get ready to make the most of your pool and have an Aiper cleaner do the hard work for you.

Published

on

By

The industry has seen a significant leap forward in pool automation technology with the introduction of The Attendant, a universal control system developed by Poolside Tech based in New Hope, PA. This cloud-based automation system is revolutionizing the way pool owners manage their pool equipment, water quality, and energy usage, elevating the customer experience to a whole new level.

One of the standout features of The Attendant is its ability to continually monitor pool equipment from any manufacturer, as well as water quality and temperature, to determine the most energy-efficient way to have the pool ready for use. This means that regardless of the type of equipment a pool owner has, The Attendant can integrate and communicate effectively with it, making it a truly universal control system. This eliminates the need for multiple controllers for different components, simplifying the automation process and providing a seamless experience for the user.

The vendor-agnostic pool automation system developed by Poolside Tech, is designed to seamlessly integrate with the "Big 3" pool equipment manufacturers, providing a comprehensive solution for pool owners. This innovative system optimizes the energy usage of the entire pool system by intelligently coordinating the individual capabilities of each pool equipment, such as pumps, heaters, and filters, to ensure maximum efficiency.

To get a better understanding of the full capabilities of the product, we spoke with Chief Technology Officer, Stan Reznik of Poolside Tech, manufacturers of The Attendant.

"I think that the value proposition is probably the easiest one to tackle. One of the reasons why this product exists was that it was essentially impossible for a builder, service tech, or homeowner to pick and choose the components that they want. What we really were driving towards is giving consumers that choice," said Reznik.

"Unfortunately, with the bulk of existing products out there right now, automation only really works with a particular manufacturer's portfolio of equipment. We basically wanted a system where you could pick your favorite products no matter what they are," explained Reznik.

The Attendant's software goes beyond basic automation by providing an interface and applied intelligence that enables it to think and communicate effectively with both homeowners and service providers. This allows pool owners to have complete control over their pool's operation and maintenance, while also providing valuable data and insights for service providers to monitor and optimize pool performance.

Energy-saving capabilities are one of The Attendant's most powerful features. During the initial configuration process, the system allows users to input their current energy rates, or a national average can be used as a default. From there, The Attendant analyzes and records the performance of each component, reporting energy consumption and associated costs for both electricity and gas, broken down by device type. This allows pool owners to track their energy usage and costs in real-time, helping them make informed decisions about their pool's operation and identify areas for potential energy savings.

"We’ve done this with pumps, salt systems, lights. We certainly aim to support everybody's heaters, chillers and so forth. We are even introducing new capabilities into things like valves, for example, where we’ve got some unique patents on being able to control a valve that previously was simply controlled by its limit switches," said Reznik.

Real-time notifications are also something that is bound to appeal to pool contractors as The Attendant is capable of sending alerts when filters are dirty, pipes are obstructed, pumps aren't operating, water levels are low, valves aren't functioning, or salt cells aren't working properly.

Perhaps one of the most unique features of The Attendant is its ability to leverage weather forecasts and historical pool performance data to predict when to activate the pool's HVAC system.

"Think of it in a Google Maps-type analogy where you don't usually tell Google much except where you want to get to and when it's the software's job to then figure out how to make that happen. That's kind of what we do. You’re simply going to say, ‘I want to go swimming and I want my hot tub at 102 at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday’ and that's what the system will do. It will wake up hours before you scheduled it, look at the weather forecast and it will make an intelligent determination of how to get you from where you are to where you want to be," said Reznik.

By taking into account factors such as ambient temperature, wind speed, UV index, and cloud cover, The Attendant can automatically adjust the pool's HVAC system to maintain the desired temperature efficiently. This not only saves energy by avoiding unnecessary heating, but it also ensures that the pool is always at the right temperature when the homeowner wants to use it, providing a convenient and comfortable swimming experience.

In addition to energy savings, The Attendant also simplifies pool maintenance through its fully integrated chemistry management system. It can monitor water quality using pH or ORP probes and automatically dispense chemicals to maintain the water's pH and sanitizer levels. This eliminates the guesswork and manual effort required for regular pool maintenance, ensuring that the water is always safe and clear for swimming.

Furthermore, The Attendant is the only automation system on the market that is NSF 50-listed as a Water Quality Monitoring Controller for any pool pad. This means that it meets the stringent standards set by the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAMPO) Laboratories for water quality monitoring and control. This certification provides pool owners with peace of mind knowing that their pool water is being monitored and controlled to the highest standards of safety and quality.

"The next step to that would be if you have the ability to run a dosing system that would dispense acid for PH control or CO2 or liquid chlorine. We can do that as well," explained Reznik. "If you have a classic setup where you have a separate automation system and a separate chemical controller, what will typically happen is say when the pH level is too high, it's going to then go into its dosing mode. It's completely unaware of the fact that, let's say the spa jets are on, which means that likely you are in that spa. What it's going to do is it will begin dosing acid at you while you’re in the spa giving you a bit of an acid bath. Whereas with the attendant, we understand that there's a need for dropping your pH, but now is not a perfect time."

The Attendant also offers convenient and customizable access control features. Its "Airbnb mode" allows pool owners to grant limited access to other pool users, such as guests or teenage children. Users can set specific profiles with restricted access to certain pool features and set maximum temperature limits to avoid excessive energy usage.

The Attendant's user-friendly interface is designed to be accessed through a smartphone, making it convenient and easy to manage pool automation on the go. With this type of pool automation technology home owners can control their pool's operation, monitor energy usage and water quality, and receive notifications and alerts from anywhere using their handheld devices, providing them with complete control and peace of mind.

Overall, The Attendant represents a giant leap forward in pool automation technology by offering advanced features such as energy-saving capabilities, personalized recommendations, and remote access, while also being NSF 50-listed for water quality monitoring and control. Pool owners can now enjoy a hassle-free and energy-efficient pool ownership experience with The Attendant, which elevates the customer experience and sets a new standard for pool automation technology.

Pool builders can also benefit from embracing the technological advancements of The Attendant. By offering The Attendant as part of their pool installation package, pool builders can differentiate themselves in the market by providing a cutting-edge and environmentally-friendly solution to their customers. The Attendant's energy-saving features and water quality monitoring capabilities are attractive selling points for eco-conscious pool owners who are looking for sustainable and efficient pool automation options.

Listen to our entire conversation with Stan Reznik, CTO of Poolside Tech, and learn more about The Attendant on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Learn about the new DOE regulations regarding inefficient lighting

Published

on

By

New Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps, recently passed by the U.S. Department of Energy, are set to impact the pool and spa industry. These regulations, which apply to all lamps emitting between 310 and 3,300 lumens, are designed to manage energy usage in various applications and industries, including pools and spas.

Under these regulations, all lamps falling within the specified lumen range must emit at least 45 lumens per watt. This requirement applies to both traditional lamps and LED lights, although many LED products currently comply with the standards.

It's important to note that the enforcement timeline for these regulations is more stringent than previous rules. As of January 1, 2023, manufacturers are no longer permitted to produce, sell, or import non-compliant lights. Violators may face penalties for non-compliance.

To get a better understanding of the new regulations we spoke with Ben Forrest of PAL Lighting, one of the industry leaders in the pool lighting sector.

"The bottom line is the Department of Energy has made a decision that they want to introduce legislation to stop the continual use of really inefficient lighting," explained Forrest, "most importantly, this is not just for the pool industry. This is right across the entire lighting sector and electrical sector nationwide. The legislation relates to what they call GSL's, or General Service Lamps, defined as lamps that either have an anti-screw fitting or pin connections."

"It doesn't include nicheless lights or the niche lights that are full fixture lights. It does include LED lamps, but any light that is not a lamp is not included under this. So the obvious target for the Department of Energy is the incandescent lamps," said Forrest.

"What they’ve said is that any lamp that doesn't produce at least 45 lumens of light per watt is not considered energy efficient, and it's not sufficient to pass the legislation. Now, that will rule out virtually every incandescent lamp immediately, and it will rule out a lot of the LED lamps," explained Forrest.

What this news means is that distributors and retailers are also subject to these regulations. As of March 1, 2023, retailers are prohibited from selling non-compliant lights. Companies selling non-compliant lights between March 1 and July 31 will face reduced penalties, but starting August 1, full penalties will be imposed on distributors and retailers who continue to sell non-compliant lights.

"They’re giving a grace period where you’re not going to get penalized too bad or a reduced penalty period, which may be nothing more than a written warning. Most likely that's what it's going to be for first offenses, but if you’re caught repeatedly, they’re going to start issuing fines," warns Forrest.

These regulations are part of the DOE's efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in various industries, including the pool and spa industry. It's essential for pool contractors and consumers to be aware of and comply with these new standards to avoid penalties and ensure environmentally responsible practices.

Listen to our entire conversation with Ben Forrest of PAL Lighting and learn more about the new DOE lighting regulations on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Green Pool Contest – Win Some Green With Pool Magazine!

Pool Girl Pro To The Rescue – Women-Led Training & Networking

Pool Furniture Buyer's Guide

A Look Back at Esther Williams Swimming Pools

"Parenting Hack" TikTok Video Puts Children At Risk of Drowning

Aquamatic Continues To Set The Bar For Automatic Pool Covers

NDPA Responds To Barrett Family Drowning Tragedy With Guidance For Parents

Claffey Pools Steps Up Again to Fund Drowning Prevention Through Partnership With Step Into Swim