With 25 Years of Hands-On Experience and an Owner-Operator Perspective, Nielsen Brings Unmatched Expertise as Landmark Enters the Next Era of Waterpark Innovation

Landmark Aquatic is pleased to now have Craig Nielsen as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Nielsen founded and led CEM Aquatics for over 25 years before CEM’s acquisition by Landmark in early 2026. Bringing a rare blend of design, construction, and owner-operator experience to Landmark’s leadership team, Nielsen’s elevation to this role signals Landmark’s commitment to leading the waterpark industry through what Nielsen calls its most exciting period of transformation yet.

Nielsen has watched the waterpark industry evolve from the ground up. “In the early 2000s, the model was remarkably consistent — flume slides, tube rides, lazy rivers, and a snack bar,” he recalls. “The most sophisticated technology on the property was probably the water chemistry controller.” The first seismic shift came when brands like Great Wolf Lodge inverted the traditional waterpark model, making the indoor waterpark the hotel’s core amenity rather than a side attraction. “Suddenly, a family destination that once operated 90 days a year was generating revenue 365 days a year — making it a fundamentally different business.”

Today, the competitive field has widened dramatically. Hotel chains, casino operators, cruise lines, and mixed-use real estate developers are all investing in waterparks as proven drivers of occupancy and revenue. Nielsen speaks from firsthand experience as co-owner of Cowabunga Canyon in Summerlin and Cowabunga Park in Henderson, Nevada. “Consumers today are often selecting their vacation resorts based on the waterpark offerings,” he says. “The secret is out — waterparks attract people, and everyone is building them.”

Looking ahead, Nielsen points to surf parks, next-generation adventure rivers, and AI-powered guest experiences as the defining frontiers of waterpark development. “Surf parks today are where indoor waterpark resorts were in the early 2000s — those who embrace them in the next three to five years will have a significant first-mover advantage,” he says. On technology, Nielsen is equally bullish: “AI is already improving everything from water chemistry to pump operations.

Soon, interactive AI experiences that track guests, create competitions, and reward participation will become the norm — it’s genuinely exciting.”

It is precisely this convergence of technology, capital, and consumer appetite that Nielsen intends to help Landmark Aquatic navigate. “Technology, capital, and a genuinely evolved consumer appetite for water-based experiences are converging in a way I haven’t seen in 25 years,” he says. “The barriers that once limited this industry — seasonality, demographic reach, geographic constraints — are all disappearing simultaneously. The wave is building, and I’m proud to help Landmark ride it.”

About Landmark Aquatic

Landmark Aquatic is a premier provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance, with more than six decades of industry leadership. Serving clients nationwide, Landmark delivers construction-led solutions supported by its CPO-certified AquatiCare maintenance team, ensuring excellence “for the life of your pool.” Committed to the full lifecycle of every facility, Landmark prioritizes long-term partnerships while adapting to client needs through exceptional service, operational excellence, and forward-thinking solutions.

Contact info:

Website: www.landmarkaquatic.com

Email: info@landmarkaquatic.com

Ph:1-888-871-2887

The post Landmark Aquatic Taps Waterpark Industry Veteran Craig Nielsen appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

RENOLIT is pleased to offer its ‘Natural Pool’ collection of reinforced membranes specifically developed to be used on ‘natural’ or ‘bio’ swimming pools and ponds. Manufactured without biocides or fungicides, this product is completely compatible and safe to use with plants and aquatic life. The ‘Natural Pool’ product is a non-toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pool membrane created to help builders and landscape designers easily offer this trending ‘natural swimming pool’ to environmentally conscious consumers.

A natural swimming pool is a constructed body of water that replicates the conditions found in naturally occurring ponds or lakes and optimizes these conditions to provide high water quality for bathers. The system is often completely chemical-free, with no devices that disinfect or sterilize the water (e.g. UV, ozone, ionizers, etc.).

For the most successful ‘natural swimming pool’ applications, the pool interior needs to be non-porous. As a result, a PVC membrane is ideal rather than plaster or gunite which are both porous and allow excessive biofilm growth, making it difficult to keep the pool clean.

Natural swimming pools are becoming more popular as consumers demand more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Advancements in biofiltration and PVC membranes are making these pools more accessible and efficient. Learn more at https://renolit-alkorplan.com/collections/natural-pool

Phone number: (219) 324-6886 I Website: https://renolit-alkorplan.com/

Location: LaPorte, Indiana

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In a market defined by architectural pedigree and uncompromising aesthetics, reputation is everything. And in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert corridor — where mid-century icons meet modern glass-and-steel estates — Melo’s Pools & Outdoors has quietly carved out a lane that few builders are willing to occupy.

“We’ve kind of built a name for taking on projects that maybe most of our competitors do not want to get involved with just due to how complex they are,” says co-owner Albert Melo. “A lot of the times we get involved early on in the early phases of the project. We’re willing to take our time and answer maybe a hundred questions before we’re even able to provide a price.”

That willingness to engage early — and absorb the risk that comes with it — has become the firm’s calling card.

From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

Melo’s path back to the family business wasn’t linear. He studied civil engineering in Orange County and was on track for a conventional engineering career before a pivotal mentor redirected him.

“I don’t think you’re an engineer,” a builder he interned for once told him. “You’re going to be a great businessman one day.”

At the time, it felt destabilizing. But looking back, Melo sees the value.

“I don’t think it was a waste of time. It’s actually helped me tremendously to be able to work on these projects and use that knowledge with architects and structural engineers and city inspectors.”

When he returned to the Coachella Valley to help his father with what was then a small pool service and remodeling operation, he never left. Twelve years later, that modest operation has evolved into an award-winning luxury pool firm capable of executing six- and seven-figure watershapes.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight.

“I became obsessed with the business side of things,” Melo explains. “How to be more efficient. How to create a better experience for the client. How to create a better sales process, a better construction process. Even if that meant every day just improving one percent.”

Over time, that obsession began attracting a different clientele.

“You kind of put your head up one day and you go, wow — you’re naturally just starting to attract that clientele that really wants quality.”

A Design-Savvy Market Demands Discipline

Palm Springs is not a forgiving design environment. It’s a place where architecture is cultural identity. Mid-century modern homes sit beside ultra-contemporary estates. Landscape, linework, and proportion matter.

“It’s heavily controlled by the looks of things and the design of the home,” Melo says. “Half of the pools we build, they don’t get used. It’s more for looks. It’s more to enjoy the outdoors with your cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night.”

That means the pool is rarely the star of the show. It’s part of a larger composition.

“Palm Springs is all about mid-century architecture,” he says. “It’s what governs the whole design of a pool.”

In some neighborhoods, that means restraint — preserving original palms and retrofitting older shells without disturbing architectural integrity. In others, particularly in Palm Desert and La Quinta, it means infinity edges, zero-edge pools, and expansive entry water features tied into modern estate construction.

The throughline is respect for place.

Owning the “Hard Projects” Lane

At some point, Melo’s firm stopped chasing typical work and started leaning into the uncomfortable.

“It naturally just happened,” he says. “We set expectations early. We tell them the truth. No, this is not going to take two months. Just the permitting process is going to take two months. The construction process can take another six.”

That level of transparency costs them jobs.

“There are clients that don’t want to hear that. They walk away. They go with the other company that maybe told them what they wanted to hear.”

But the clients who stay are different.

“In order to build a Ferrari, it takes time. It’s not how fast can you do it — it’s let’s do this right.”

For Melo, the client relationship has to be aligned before they commit to a complex project.

“That client has to see the value in what our company offers. If they see the value that we’re able to help them early on, that we know what we’re doing, and that we’re going to bring the right vendors and engineers into the project, then they’re willing to pay for it and they’re willing to wait for the realistic timeline.”

That alignment is what makes the difference between a successful high-end build and a slow-moving disaster.

The Acrylic Wall Project: Engineering Under Pressure

The project that crystallizes Melo’s reputation sits in the heart of Palm Desert — a modern estate anchored by an acrylic wall pool and a floating acrylic bar that appears to hover over illuminated water.

It began, as many of Melo’s projects do, with a simple directive from the homeowner.

“They were like, Albert, we want something different. We want something unique.”

One idea led to another. A transparent wall. Then a bar. Then a question no one had yet answered.

“What if we make the table out of acrylic?”

At the time, Melo didn’t know of anyone who had executed a fully integrated floating acrylic bar in that fashion. But the idea stuck.

“There’s so much planning involved,” he says. “There’s so many what ifs. There’s so many unknowns.”

The coordination required was immense. Acrylic vendor. Structural engineers. In-house CAD design. Hydraulics. Load calculations. Deflection analysis. The final email count approached two thousand messages between all parties involved.

“You’re almost working backwards,” Melo explains. “You need to provide a budget, but you also need to understand how that’s going to be constructed.”

Details mattered at a microscopic level — pool depth, waterline alignment, structural support, acrylic thickness, anchoring systems, tolerances.

And then came the fill.

“That was my first acrylic pool that we had ever done,” Melo recalls. “I just could not relax. I’m like, what if it leaks? What if it fails? All that pressure of the water — is it going to deflect that acrylic?”

He drove to the site late at night while the pool was filling.

“I remember it was halfway through the acrylic and there were no leaks. It was almost there.”

That night still stands out.

“Anyone that’s been in this industry remembers their first infinity edge pool, their first zero-edge pool,” he says. “With time and experience comes confidence.”

Today, the illuminated acrylic wall glows beneath the desert sky. The floating bar, supported by transparent columns, creates the illusion of weightlessness. It is architectural sculpture as much as it is watershape — and a defining example of what happens when a builder refuses to default to ordinary.

Designing With Restraint

Not every signature project is about pushing materials. Some are about knowing when not to.

On another featured property, Melo’s team preserved decades-old palm trees rather than remove them to simplify construction.

“We said, we have to keep these palms,” he explains. “It’s a signature look of Palm Springs.”

Structurally, that decision complicated the dig and required careful engineering to ensure root systems remained stable. But the payoff was visual continuity — a modernized pool anchored by historic palms that tied the property to its mid-century heritage.

“Sometimes restraint is the most important part,” Melo says. “The challenge is, when you’re working with big architects and successful clients, they don’t want to hear the word no. They have an idea and it’s our job to figure out how it gets done.”

That often means mediating between architectural intent and structural reality.

Landscape architects might draw a water feature flush against a home’s exterior wall, but structural footings may project 12 to 18 inches outward.

“We have to bring those concerns early on,” he says. “Sometimes the structural engineer has to redo their calculations so we can design our wall flush with the house.”

The discipline isn’t about limiting ambition. It’s about integrating it.

Process in a Custom World

In production building, process is standardized. In custom luxury construction, process must be flexible without becoming chaotic.

“It starts with, are we the right fit?” Melo says. “Usually that starts with a phone call or a Zoom meeting.”

From there, they request conceptual drawings — sometimes nothing more than bubble sketches — and begin mapping out what information is needed from civil engineers, structural engineers, and architects.

Because many of their builds stretch across months or even years, continuity is critical.

“I probably have five or ten projects right now where it’s been a year, some of them two years, and we’re just waiting to come back,” Melo says.

Pools may be shot to structural shell and then paused until vertical construction on the home reaches a certain stage.

To maintain momentum, Melo and his project managers maintain contact — site visits, emails, coordination meetings — even during dormant phases.

“We try to keep that communication alive.”

Looking Ahead

Despite industry recognition — including 40 Under 40 honors — Melo remains wary of complacency.

“The day you think you have it all figured out is when you don’t,” he says.

He credits mentorship from friends and associates who run nine-figure businesses for sharpening his understanding of financial systems and operational discipline.

“Yes, we’re building pools, but we’re also running a business,” he says. “We have to make sure we take care of that side.”

What excites him most isn’t reckless expansion. It’s controlled growth.

“Growth can be a double-edged sword,” Melo says. “We want to maintain our quality and find our sweet spot. We’re busy, but not so busy that it affects our quality.”

And perhaps most importantly:

“I’m excited to be able to say no to the ones that maybe don’t fit our values.”

In a market where aesthetics reign and reputations travel fast, that discipline may be the true differentiator.

For anyone who doubts it, just stand beside one of Melo’s exquisitely designed aquatic showpieces and bask in the splendor and technical prowess of true craftsmanship on display.

Some builders avoid the hard jobs.

Melo’s Pools & Outdoors built a name on taking them on.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with Albert Melo of Melo’s Pools & Outdoors on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

Builder Credits: Melo’s Pools & Outdoors
Photo Credits: Jimi Smith Photography

The post Taking On the Hard Jobs Others Won’t Touch – Melo’s Pools & Outdoors appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

At first glance, The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry sounds less like a short film and more like something you’d see on the agenda at an industry summit. It reads like a white paper. A market report. An economic forecast delivered in a ballroom with bad coffee and PowerPoint slides.

That’s intentional.

Because the film isn’t just about a backyard pool. It’s about everything surrounding it right now — inflation, supply chain issues, pricing anxiety, dwindling usage, and the uneasy dance between homeowners and contractors trying to justify what something costs these days.

Film Title Anything But a Misnomer

The short film from Derek Frey, David Amadio, Gil Damon, and Steve Kuzmick opens in territory that ought to immediately feel familiar to anyone working in the pool industry: a dated backyard pool. The liner is aging. The water looks neglected. The chemistry is questionable. And the homeowner is staring at a renovation estimate he isn’t sure he can justify — financially or emotionally.

From that setup, the film does something clever. It takes the headlines we’ve been writing about here at Pool Magazine — rising costs, logistical breakdowns, economic pressures — and drops them into an everyday backyard conversation. Then it asks a harder question:

When the cost of maintaining the pool goes up… what happens to the meaning of it?

Film Shows The Realities of Rising Costs

In the opening scene, a homeowner, Henry (played by Gil Damon), asks his pool guy, Rick (played by Steve Kuzmick), why his pool liner replacement now carries a five-figure price tag.

The character Rick cites inflation. Supply chain instability. A late winter freeze in Texas. Petrochemical plant shutdowns. Limited liner availability.

If you’ve read Pool Magazine over the past few years, you’d already know that at least a few of those stories have already been validated in print. They’re real. They happened. They created issues that affected contractors nationwide.

That’s what makes the scene land.

Because Rick isn’t inventing stories. He’s pulling from real-life industry issues. But the way he delivers his points — confidently, rapidly, with the cadence of someone who has well rehearsed his rebuttal — creates more than a sliver of doubt.

Is he educating the homeowner? Or is he stacking headlines into a persuasive narrative that smacks with the slick gold chain energy of a used car salesman?

“The whole Texas freeze thing came from research,” David Amadio explains. “We were trying to connect the plight of this one contractor to a larger industry issue. The audience doesn’t know if it’s real. They don’t know if it’s legit. It could just be a ruse.”

That ambiguity is the point. The film doesn’t accuse the industry of exaggeration. It simply shows how real economic forces can easily blur into sales language.

The inflation and Texas freeze references aren’t throwaway lines. They were well researched.

Art Sometimes Imitates Life

“When you first reached out to us for an interview, I went on the Pool Magazine website, and one of the top headlines was about another Texas freeze,” director Derek Frey says. “I was like, wow. I don’t know if that’s art imitating life or not, but that was particularly intentional in our crafting of this story.”

That realness doesn’t just live in the headlines, pool guy Rick cites — it lives in how he carries himself.

Kuzmick’s performance isn’t built only on what he says but on the physicality of how he delivers his lines. After making his case for why Henry’s liner replacement will be more expensive, he wraps the conversation with a firm slap on his customer’s back and a casual, “Talk it over with the family and let me know.”

Then he walks.

He doesn’t linger, and he sure doesn’t soften the number. The message is subtle but unmistakable: I’ve got other jobs. I’m busy, and you need me more than I need you.

A View From The Other Side of the Mirror

Henry, the homeowner, is just as recognizable as Rick — only from the other side of the estimate.

He’s the Everyman. The middle-aged dad staring at a liner replacement bill that costs far more than he expected and wondering how he’s going to explain it at the dinner table. There’s a touch of Clark Griswold in him — earnest, well-intentioned, slightly overwhelmed. You get the sense that if something can go wrong with his pool, it probably will. When his skimmer pole snaps in half on the first attempt to clean, it’s funny — but it’s also revealing. This is a man losing control of something he once felt confident about.

The real pressure, though, is about the conversation waiting for him inside the house.

Henry knows the liner replacement isn’t just a repair. It’s a negotiation. One where he has to justify the expense to his wife — and he already senses she won’t be on board. In today’s economy, a five-figure liner replacement isn’t a casual conversation. It’s sure to be a debate and a potential source of tension.

That’s where the film pivots from industry commentary to something more personal, and a conversation happening in many homes across the nation.

The hesitation isn’t just about money. It’s about relevance.

Fighting a Losing Battle Against Devices & Indifference

Henry tries to make his case by appealing to what the pool used to represent — long summers, family time, shared memories. But when he looks to his kids for reinforcement to help him make the case, he’s met with indifference. Phones in hand, half-hearted answers, distracted nods. The pool that once anchored family life now competes against their screen time.

“It’s like a fantasy of middle-class American fatherhood,” David Amadio says. “All of us are watching our kids grow older by the day. All these pastimes we loved are falling by the wayside. This movie was our attempt to try to hold onto those things for a little bit longer.”

Gil Damon, who plays Henry — and who actually owns the pool used in the movie — brings an authenticity to that quiet frustration.

The Film Introduces a Thought Provoking Question

“Whether the kids swim in it or not, you still have to maintain it,” Damon says. “If you don’t maintain it, something goes terribly wrong. And there’s still something kind of joyous in maintaining it. Even just skimming the leaves. But at some point you’re like, wait, what am I doing all this for?”

That question lingers in the film.

What are we maintaining?

The pool becomes a metaphor for something bigger — for rituals that once felt permanent but now feel optional. For investments that once made obvious sense but now require defense. For a version of family life that doesn’t compete well with Wi-Fi.

Competing Against Technology

“Technology is king,” Amadio says. “There are so many casualties in the culture of technology. The pool’s like a little antidote to that. It’s an analog getaway from the digital maelstrom in which we all live.”

In that context, the liner replacement isn’t just a repair. It’s a referendum. Not just on budget, but on whether the pool still holds meaning inside the household. Henry’s wife finally says she would just as soon as like to fill in the pool and be done with it altogether.

And it’s right when Henry seems ready to give up — when he shuts off the timer and retreats inside — that the film introduces its wild card.

Reigniting That First Spark

Henry awakens to the sound of splashing. The pool lights are on. The water, which hours earlier looked neglected and uninspiring, now appears clean, inviting, almost cinematic. Floating across the surface is a stranger in goggles, a swim cap, and striped bathing suit, casually doing the backstroke.

He introduces himself as Willy Chamieux — played by writer David Amadio — and calmly explains that he is “the manifestation of why pools are cool.”

Henry, understandably alarmed, tells him the pool is in no condition to swim in (even though it’s clearly been transformed) and orders him out, a command which Willy ignores.

Instead, he dives beneath the surface to “inspect” the torn liner Henry was complaining about. When he resurfaces, it’s face down in a dead man’s float. Henry panics and jumps in to save him — only to discover he’s been played.

Getting Memory to Break Down The Barriers

And that’s the turning point. The moment Henry slips into the water, all of the tension drains from him. The defensiveness, the budgeting, the quiet resentment we saw earlier — it all fades. There’s something about being back in his pool — not as a project, not as an expense, but as he always imagined it — that softens him. You can see it on his face. He’s not calculating anymore. He’s remembering.

Willy challenges him to a game. They dive for quarters. They laugh — the kind of unguarded laughter that hasn’t been heard in that backyard in a while.

Soon, the rest of the family drifts outside. They’re tackled into the pool by Willy and quickly fall under the same spell as Henry, experiencing the renovated condition and joy of once more being in their own pool. The tone of the film shifts again. Visually, the sequence leans into classic aquatic spectacle.

“That was the main reference,” Derek Frey says. “Those 1930s films choreographed by Busby Berkeley — Footlight Parade — and Olympic synchronized swimming. We storyboarded the movement based on many of those references.”

The overhead shots evoke old Hollywood water ballets. The pool center stage again once more in the lives of Henry and his family.

Analysis of Willy Chamieux

The character of Willy carries an apparition-like quality throughout that the film never explains outright.

“We don’t know if he’s a water sprite or an actual person,” David Amadio adds playfully. “He kind of straddles the line.”

That ambiguity is deliberate.

Willy clearly isn’t there to fix the pool; the illusion disappears the moment he does. Rick will still need to be called if that dream is ever to become a reality. No, Willy is merely there to remind.

To remind Henry what the pool once felt like, reconnecting the emotion to the investment.
To remind the family of what enjoying the pool together once meant.

There’s something unmistakably Dickensian about the structure. Willy feels like a warm-weather variation of A Christmas Carol — less chains and underdone potato, more chlorine and cannonballs. If Scrooge needed the Ghost of Christmas Past to remember who he once was, Henry needs something similar.

Willy may very well be the Ghost of Summers Past.

The film never spells it out, but the parallels are there, and we pointed some of them out to the filmmakers. The character Henry represents a man on the brink of abandoning something meaningful. A supernatural visitation. A night that changes perspective before it’s too late.

“We hadn’t thought about Dickens specifically,” David Amadio admits, “but it’s definitely there.”

Whether spirit, trickster, or simply shared DNA, Willy’s function is clear: he forces Henry to re-experience joy before he walks away from it.

And then comes the final turn.

Coming Full Circle

Henry wakes the following morning, not on the couch where he had resigned himself to defeat, but in bed — surrounded by his family. The energy is different. The tension is gone. His wife looks at him and gives a quiet, approving nod. No speech is necessary. No debate. They both know what comes next.

His first order of business will be to call Rick and approve the liner replacement.

The film doesn’t frame that moment as one of defeat or capitulation, but one of clarity.

Only then does the final reveal land.

As day breaks, Rick pulls up in a truck and Willy climbs in. They head off toward another address — another backyard, another hesitant homeowner, another family on the fence. The magic wasn’t random but part of the process.

There’s a faint echo here of The Swimmer — one almost immediately draws the comparison of Burt Lancaster moving from pool to pool. Only this time, the journey is one of restoration. Willy isn’t drifting through suburbia trying to outrun a sad reality. He’s moving through it, reminding families what once made their backyards matter. It’s a subtle but meaningful reframing.

Rather than positioning Rick as a manipulator, the filmmakers present something more layered and nuanced. Rick understands that homeowners don’t just need pricing estimates. They need perspective.

“I think they’re ultimately doing good for people,” Derek Frey says. “Rick is pure business. He’s about the sale. Willy is doing it for the reasons he outlined. Everybody kind of comes out a winner.”

Together, they’re not just repairing pools — they’re restoring connection.

And that’s where the film’s theme settles.

The current state of the backyard pool industry isn’t simply about tariffs, inflation, or any of the other litany of issues impacting the industry. It’s about relevance and reminding consumers why they opted to build a pool in the first place.

Screening The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry

For pool professionals, the takeaway isn’t that they need a gimmick.

It’s remembering what it is that they’re really selling.

The film doesn’t pretend that the economics aren’t real. The cost increases are real. The supply chain strain was real. The sticker shock homeowners feel is real. Those conversations happen every day in the backyard.

But so does the other part — the part that’s harder to quantify.

The first cannonball of the season.
The late-night sessions of Marco Polo.
The laughter that carries from backyard to backyard all summer long.

Rick understands the business of that, but Willy understands the magic.

And that’s why the film resonates.

Screening this film could be a useful exercise for pool professionals across the industry — not as satire, not as critique, but as perspective. It invites a simple question: Are we leading with cost, or are we leading with value?

We may not all have a magical spirit like Willy to bring along on every job to convince the customer.

Which means the magic has to come through us. Because if we don’t remind them why it matters, no one else will.

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire interview with the filmmakers of The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

Photo Credits: Derek Frey Films

The post The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry: Short Film Holds Up a Mirror appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

If you ask most pool pros how they see themselves, the answer is pretty consistent.

We’re rugged.
We’re sun-kissed.
We’ve got forearms like rebar and a tan that says “I work outside for a living.”

In our own mental highlight reel, we’re stepping off a photoshoot. Truck door shuts. Sunglasses on. Water sparkling behind us. A light breeze catches the brim of the hat. The pool is perfect because we made it that way.

We’re craftsmen.
We’re troubleshooters.
We’re the superheroes of summer.

That’s how we see ourselves.

Now let’s talk about how customers see us.

Because depending on the day — and the invoice — we’re not always the hero in the slow-motion montage.

Sometimes we’re something else entirely.

“Can You Do It for Half?”

The Customer That Thinks You’re a Clown

You hand them an estimate.

They tilt their head.

“Can you do it for half?”

In that moment, something shifts. Suddenly you’re not a professional with insurance, fuel costs, payroll, chemical increases, equipment overhead, licensing, and taxes.

You’re Bozo.

They see you juggling test kits and chlorine tabs, honking a horn, performing tricks for their amusement.

“Come on, it’ll only take you a few minutes.”
“It’s just brushing and checking chemicals.”
“My cousin said it shouldn’t cost that much.”

In their mind, your time is elastic. Your experience is optional. Your overhead is imaginary.

What they see: A guy who can cut his price in half if he just “wants the work bad enough.”
What you see: The math doesn’t change just because someone asks nicely.

The clown persona is born when price becomes entertainment. And suddenly you’re expected to juggle.

“You’re Way Overpriced.”

The Customer Who Thinks You’re Robbing Them

This one is sure of it.

They don’t just think you’re expensive.

They think you’re stealing from them.

You present your proposal. They lean back. Arms crossed.

“I had a guy who did it for way less.”

Sure you did.

In their imagination, you’re standing there in a ski mask with a bag full of hundred-dollar bills. Every invoice is a heist. Every service call is a getaway.

They don’t see the truck payment.
They don’t see the two hours in traffic.
They don’t see the diagnostic time before you ever touched a tool.

They see a number — and they see themselves losing.

The irony? Most pool pros price to survive, not to rob. Margins are tighter than most homeowners realize. Fuel, chemicals, parts, software, payroll, insurance — it all adds up.

But perception is powerful.

When someone thinks you’re overpriced, you’re no longer a technician.

You’re a thief in broad daylight.

“I Can Pay You Next Month.”

This Customer Thinks You’re a Multi-Millionaire Running a Non-Profit

Then there’s the customer who assumes you operate like a bank.

“I can get you next month.”

Translation: Carry me.

In their world, you’re sitting on a pile of cash. Money flows freely. You can float balances indefinitely because, well, you must be rolling in it.

You fix their pump today.
You replace the filter.
You clean up the mess.

And they’ll square up… eventually.

They don’t see payroll hitting Friday morning.
They don’t see supplier invoices due in 15 days.
They don’t see the credit card bill from the parts you fronted.

In their mind, you’re a small business owner — which must mean you’re independently wealthy.

In reality, you’re operating on razor-thin cash flow like most service businesses in America.

You’re not a millionaire floating bills.

You’re a working professional trying to keep everything moving.

“I Need It Done Immediately.”

This Customer Thinks You’re Some Sort of a Magician

This one’s my favorite.

They call at 4:30 PM on a Friday.

“We’re having a party tomorrow.”

And suddenly, you’re not a pool pro. You’re Harry Potter.

You’re expected to wave a wand and reverse three weeks of neglect in 12 hours.

Green water?
Broken heater?
Dead pump?
Cracked valve?

No problem. Surely you can just make it happen. In their head, you’ve been waiting by the phone for this very moment. No other customers. No schedule. No route. No other emergencies.

Just you, poised dramatically beside your truck, ready to conjure clarity out of chaos.

They don’t see the 40 other pools on the route.
They don’t see the backlog of parts.
They don’t see that “immediately” is rarely possible without someone else waiting longer.

But urgency has a way of rewriting reality.

And when a party is on the line, you’re not a technician.

You’re a magician.

“Can You Break It Down for Me?”

The Customer Who Wants You To Break Down Every Bill

Then there’s the spreadsheet shopper.

They want every detail itemized.

Every chemical.
Every labor minute.
Every markup.
Every gasket.

Get your dancing shoes on. You’re not just giving an estimate. You’re performing.

They want to compare you to the next five guys who show up in a Google search. They want to line up your numbers like a fantasy football draft and see who’s cheapest.

In that moment, you’re not a pool professional.

You’re a break dancer on cardboard.

“Break it down for me.”

While transparency is good — and professionalism demands clarity — there’s a difference between understanding the work and dissecting it to the penny so it can be shopped.

Some customers see a partner.
Others see a spreadsheet.

The Reality Behind the Personas

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough.

Most pool pros are just normal people running small businesses. We’ve got mortgages, kids, payroll to meet, trucks that need maintenance, supplier accounts that come due whether we got paid or not, and alarm clocks that go off long before most of our customers are awake. This isn’t a hobby or a side hustle — it’s how we feed our families.

We’re not clowns looking to perform at half price, and we’re not thieves twisting our moustaches, plotting ways to rip off the customer. We’re not sitting on piles of cash, and we’re definitely not magicians who can bend time and reality to accommodate every last-minute request. We’re professionals who learned a trade, invested in equipment, carry insurance, and take on real responsibility every time we touch someone’s backyard.

There’s pride in this work. Clear water doesn’t happen by accident. Equipment doesn’t fix itself. When something breaks, leaks, shorts out, or turns green overnight, someone has to understand the system well enough to diagnose it and make it right. That knowledge comes from experience — and experience has value.

Most of us aren’t trying to squeeze every buck we can out of a customer. We’re not eager to argue over invoices or chase unpaid balances. We don’t enjoy telling someone we can’t reshuffle an entire week because a party was scheduled without notice. What we want is pretty simple: to do great work, to be treated fairly, and to have our expertise respected.

At the end of the day, pool pros and homeowners actually want the same thing — a backyard that works the way it’s supposed to and a relationship that feels honest. When there’s mutual respect, all those exaggerated personas disappear, and what’s left is just a professional providing a service for customers who value it.

The Business Side of Perception Equals Reality

There’s a hard truth in this industry that doesn’t get talked about enough: perception is reality.

If a customer believes your time isn’t valuable, they’ll treat it that way. If they believe your pricing is flexible, they’ll test it. If they believe you “need the work,” they’ll negotiate accordingly.

But where does that perception come from?

A lot of it starts with the pool pro.

How you present an estimate matters. How you explain scope matters. Whether you pause and wait after stating your price — or immediately start justifying it — matters. Customers read hesitation. They read uncertainty. And they respond to it.

This isn’t about ego. It’s about positioning.

If you treat your service like a commodity, it will be compared like one. If you present it as skilled, insured, accountable professional work — with systems, standards, and policies behind it — it gets treated differently.

Self-worth in business isn’t emotional. It shows up in structure.

Do you have clear payment terms?
Do you enforce them?
Do you charge diagnostic time consistently?
Do you walk away when a job doesn’t make sense?

Those decisions communicate value far more than any speech about “experience” ever will.

When you value your time, you schedule it intentionally.
When you value your expertise, you charge for it.
When you value your service, you stop racing to the bottom.

Customers take cues from how you operate. If you discount quickly, they learn to wait for it. If you bend policies often, they expect exceptions. If you over-explain your pricing defensively, they sense it’s negotiable.

On the flip side, when you’re clear and steady — “Here’s the scope. Here’s the price. Here’s how we handle payment.” — most reasonable customers adjust to that framework.

The industry sometimes conditions pool pros to feel lucky just to have the work. But this is skilled labor. It requires technical knowledge, physical effort, liability, and responsibility. The backyard may be leisure for the homeowner, but it’s infrastructure when it breaks.

If you don’t believe your work has real value, it’s hard to expect customers to believe it either.

Perception is reality in service businesses. The way you see your own operation — serious business or side hustle, professional service or “just pool work” — shapes how others respond to you.

And over time, the customers you attract will mirror that perception.

The post Perception Equals Reality in The Pool Trade, Know Your Worth appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

Rising fuel costs are quickly becoming one of the biggest pressures facing pool professionals this season. For an industry that depends on being out in the field every day, the impact is immediate.

No matter the role—service, construction, remodeling, or sales—pool companies rely heavily on their vehicles to get the job done. Crews are constantly moving between stops, job sites, and customer appointments, often covering a lot of ground in a single day. Trucks aren’t just a convenience—they’re a core part of how pool companies operate.

That’s why fuel costs hit harder here than in most industries. When prices climb, it doesn’t take long for that increase to show up across the board. What used to be a manageable expense is now becoming a real strain on day-to-day operations, forcing companies to pay closer attention to routing, efficiency, and overall fleet costs.

What’s Driving Fuel Prices Higher

The current spike in fuel prices isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s being driven by geopolitical tension centered around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical oil chokepoints in the world.

Roughly a fifth of the global oil supply moves through that narrow passage. When conflict escalates or shipping lanes are threatened, even the perception of disruption sends shockwaves through energy markets. Tankers reroute, insurance costs climb, and traders begin pricing in risk before actual shortages even materialize.

That’s exactly what we’re seeing play out right now. Oil prices have surged as markets react to instability in the region, and those increases are working their way down the chain—from crude oil to refined gasoline and diesel—until they land squarely at the pump.

Diesel, in particular, has been hit harder than gasoline due to tighter global supply and its reliance on international shipping. That matters for the pool industry because diesel fuels everything from heavy-duty trucks to construction equipment and material transport.

The bottom line is simple: when global oil flows get disrupted or even threatened, domestic fuel prices respond quickly—and often aggressively.

A Look at Prices Then vs. Now

Compared to this time last year, fuel costs have taken a noticeable jump.

Nationally, gasoline prices have climbed from the low-$3 range into the $4-plus range in many markets, representing roughly a 25–30% increase year-over-year. Diesel has surged even more dramatically, with increases approaching 40–50% in some cases.

And while those numbers are significant on their own, they don’t tell the full story.

Western States Hit Hardest

The western states, already home to some of the highest fuel prices in the country—have been hit especially hard. It’s not uncommon to see prices well above the national average, pushing deeper into the $5+ range for gasoline and even higher for diesel.

That’s particularly relevant for the pool industry. California isn’t just another state—it’s one of the largest and most active pool markets in the country. From new construction to ongoing service and maintenance, the concentration of pool ownership means a significant portion of the industry is operating in one of the most expensive fuel environments in the U.S.

Fuel prices tend to run higher across the western half of the U.S. in general. Refining capacity is more limited, particularly in California, where the state relies on a smaller number of in-state refineries that produce a specialized gasoline blend required by stricter environmental regulations. That limits supply flexibility—when one refinery goes down for maintenance or an outage, prices can spike quickly. Add in higher state taxes, regulatory costs, and a geographic disconnect from major Gulf Coast refining hubs, and it becomes more expensive to produce and distribute fuel. The result is a market that’s more sensitive to disruptions and consistently priced above the national average.

The Daily Impact of Rising Fuel Costs on Pool Operations

For pool professionals, rising fuel costs aren’t theoretical—they show up every single day.

A service technician running a route might drive 80 to 120 miles in a day. Multiply that across a week, then across an entire team, and you’re talking about hundreds or thousands of gallons consumed every month.

Now layer in a 25–50% increase in fuel costs. At some point, those rising costs have to be absorbed—or passed along.

We’re already seeing pool service professionals begin to address this head-on. Price increase letters are going out to customers, explaining the reality of higher operating costs and the need to adjust monthly service rates accordingly.

For builders, the impact is more layered. Increased fuel costs affect:

• Material delivery pricing
• Equipment transport
• Labor costs tied to travel time
• Subcontractor pricing

All of that ultimately feeds into the total cost of a project.

While no company wants to raise prices, the reality is that sustained increases in fuel costs make it unavoidable. Margins in the pool industry are already under pressure from labor, materials, and regulatory costs. Fuel is now another major lever pulling those margins tighter.

How Companies Are Responding

Pool companies aren’t just sitting back and absorbing the hit—they’re adapting.

One of the most notable shifts in the industry has been how companies are rethinking their fleets altogether—but for many, there’s no easy solution.

Tightening Routes

David Goldenberg, owner of Las Vegas Pool Bros, says rising fuel costs have forced operators like him to take a hard look at how much they’re spending to reach their customers.

“Fuel has become one of the biggest variables in our operation. When you’re running multiple trucks every day, even a small increase at the pump turns into a significant expense by the end of the month. That’s really what pushed us to start tightening our route. For us it’s about controlling costs and protecting the business from the kind of volatility we’re seeing right now.”

Moving to EV / Hybrid Vehicles

For others, the conversation has shifted beyond tightening routes and into rethinking the long-term makeup of their fleet.

Paul Presley, owner of Blue Wave Pools, has been methodically working at transitioning his vehicles as a way to reduce exposure to rising fuel costs, though he says the process is far from straightforward.

“Fuel costs have definitely been a wake-up call for us. We knew we couldn’t just keep absorbing increases every year and expect it not to impact the business. We’ve started transitioning the fleet and we’re about halfway there now, but it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. The goal is to get to a place where all of our vehicles are either electric or hybrid, but getting there takes time and money.”

Presley says that path has become more challenging as incentives that once helped offset the cost of electric vehicles have been scaled back or removed.

“For a while, the numbers made a lot more sense with the incentives in place. Losing things like the $7,500 tax credit definitely changes the equation. You’re still dealing with higher upfront costs, and you have to be more strategic about how and when you make those upgrades.”

Better Fleet Management

Fleet management tools have quickly becoming one of the biggest eye-openers for pool companies trying to get a handle on rising fuel costs. What many operators are discovering is that the problem isn’t just what they’re paying at the pump—it’s how fuel is being used throughout the day.

Elizabeth Donald of Superior Pools notes that the opportunity for savings is often hiding in plain sight.

“Fuel is an enormous cost—especially now—and even small changes in driver behavior can produce dramatic savings. Idling, for instance, burns a half-gallon of fuel per hour. When diesel costs $6 per gallon, that can be several hundred dollars a day in wasted fuel for a 10-truck fleet.”

For Superior Pools, it’s about seeing exactly how long trucks are idling, how aggressively they’re being driven, and how efficient each route actually is. What fleet management tools have done for them is help turn those assumptions into hard data.

In many cases, that visibility alone is enough to drive immediate change. Companies are tightening routes, reducing idle time, and coaching drivers on more efficient habits—all without adding new vehicles or making major capital investments.

And while these strategies are helping companies regain some control, they don’t eliminate the bigger question looming over the industry: where do fuel prices go from here?

What the Industry Is Watching for the Rest of 2026

Looking ahead, there are a few key factors pool professionals are keeping an eye on:

• Stability (or escalation) in the Middle East
• Oil production levels from major global suppliers
• Domestic refining capacity and output
• Seasonal demand shifts during peak summer months

At the same time, many companies are taking a more proactive approach to cost management. That includes reevaluating service areas, tightening route density, investing in more efficient vehicles, and communicating transparently with customers about pricing increases.

The reality is that fuel costs are now a strategic consideration, not just an operational expense.

Is There Any Relief on the Horizon?

That’s the question everyone is asking.

The honest answer is that it depends heavily on what happens geopolitically. If tensions around the Strait of Hormuz ease and oil flows stabilize, we could see some softening in fuel prices. But even in that scenario, prices don’t typically snap back overnight.

Markets tend to hold onto a risk premium until there’s sustained stability. That means even if conditions improve, it could take months for prices to normalize.

If tensions persist or escalate, the opposite is true. Prices could remain elevated—or climb even higher—especially for diesel.

For pool professionals, that means planning for continued volatility rather than banking on a quick return to lower prices.

The Bottom Line

Fuel has always been a part of doing business in the pool industry—but rarely has it taken center stage like it is right now.

From service routes to construction sites, rising costs are reshaping how companies operate, price their services, and plan for the future. The impact is immediate, tangible, and widespread.

Whether relief comes later this year or the industry settles into a new normal of elevated prices, one thing is clear: pool professionals will continue to adapt, just as they always have.

But for now, it’s a season where every gallon matters—and every dollar counts.

The post Rising Fuel Costs Are Hitting Pool Pros Where It Hurts Most appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

HENDERSON, NV—April 7, 2026—Structure Studios is redefining the gold standard in pool and landscape design with the launch of Version 4. Today’s major update to Vip3D, Pool Studio, and VizTerra streamlines the workflow for thousands of professionals worldwide who rely on the suite to deliver more than two million projects every year.

Built on a redesigned 3D engine, the update introduces significant advancements in rendering quality, real-time performance, workflow efficiency, and the most comprehensive library expansion in company history. This update is designed to help pool and landscape professionals create photorealistic 3D designs faster and produce precise, accurate, construction-ready plans.

Version 4 redefines what’s possible in outdoor design by pairing high-end visualization with an intuitive workflow. The next-generation rendering engine introduces Path Tracing to simulate real-world lighting behavior with incredible accuracy. With options like DLSS and dynamic Global Illumination, designers can now leverage the key tools in Version 4 to achieve significantly improved performance without sacrificing visual quality, even when rendering complex scenes with realistic lighting, reflections, and indirect light.

“Version 4 is the most significant leap forward we’ve taken,” said Noah Nehlich, Founder and President of Structure Studios. “We rebuilt our engine from the ground up to deliver dramatically better visuals and faster performance. Our goal wasn’t just to make the water look better; we wanted to make the entire design-to-build workflow feel completely seamless. Whether you’re a new designer, an experienced professional, or part of a high-volume design-build firm, Version 4 provides you with tools to achieve spectacular results straight out of the box and close more sales.”

Key Features in Version 4

• Path Tracing & Advanced Lighting: A redesigned rendering engine delivers beautiful, instant results with precise new controls for fine-tuning specific moods and artistic styles.
• DLSS & Global Illumination: Real-time performance is dramatically improved. Fully dynamic indirect lighting and reflections now simulate how light interacts between objects with greater accuracy than ever before.
• HDRI Skies: Designers can now create more realistic skies and lighting environments by selecting from the library of HDRI skies or importing their own custom options.
• 1,000+ New Library Assets: Version 4 adds 456 new plant and tree models, 148 new materials (including 65 brick options, 14 marble styles, and 30 stacked stone options), 165 new furniture pieces, and 380 additional library items, including a completely new Dynamic Door System and updated Dynamic Rockwork.
• Expanded GIS Data: Designers can now automatically generate parcel lines, setbacks, 3D structures, and property information directly within the workflow.
• Cross Sections & Scaled 3D Plan Views: New features allow designers to cut precise cross sections through any project and export full-color scaled 3D plan views, simplifying the path from concept to construction.
• Expanded Grid Size: The design grid now supports projects up to 2,550 ft x 2,550 ft, accommodating even the most ambitious commercial and residential projects.
• Default System: Designers can now save preferred settings, styles, fonts, and page templates as defaults, which can be applied automatically to every new project to streamline the design process.

Availability

Version 4 of Vip3D, Pool Studio, and VizTerra is available now. Current members can download the update immediately. New users can start a free 30-day trial or learn more about Structure Studios’ professional landscape and pool design software at structurestudios.com.

About Structure Studios

Structure Studios is the developer of Vip3D, Pool Studio, and VizTerra—the professional standard in 3D outdoor living and landscape design software. Used by pool builders, landscape designers, and outdoor living professionals worldwide, Structure Studios software helps designers create compelling 3D presentations that earn client trust and close more deals. Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, Structure Studios has spent two decades building the tools that help designers do their best work. Learn more at structurestudios.com.

The post Structure Studios Launches Version 4 of Its Professional Pool and Landscape Design Software Suite appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

CCEI is pleased to announce it is offering a new, comprehensive, color catalog that showcases the wide range of products the company offers. From pH and ORP chemical controllers and pump room automation systems to pool and spa light transformers, this catalog provides complete details, installation instructions and illustrative photography.

Founded in 1973, CCEI is a manufacturer of automation and controller systems in the US as well as lighting systems in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa with its head office located in France. Known for its sophisticated and powerful equipment, the company’s sleek and attractive products are the choice products for pool professionals because of their ease of installation and ease-of-use. CCEI’s connected pool solutions, especially CCEI’s Vigipool automation and water treatment equipment, have made positioned the company as a leader in the swimming pool and spa industry.

“We designed this catalog with both the pool professional and the consumer in mind,” says Sébastian Chéreau, Head of CCEI’s Global Marketing. “We are proud to offer it as a tool for the industry.”

To receive a copy of the catalog, please fill out the form

More information about CCEI’s US operations can be found at:

www.ccei-pool.com/us/

424-800-2191

CCEI USA Inc.

808 Hindry Ave, Suite G

Inglewood, CA 90301

The post CCEI Launches New 2026 Catalog appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

When homeowners step outside and look at their swimming pool, they aren’t thinking about pumps, plumbing, or automation panels mounted on the equipment pad. What they see first is the water. Is it clear? Does it sparkle in the sunlight? Does it look inviting enough that they want to jump in right away? That moment of visual clarity is often the single most powerful signal homeowners receive about how well their pool is being cared for.

For pool professionals, that clarity represents the culmination of everything happening behind the scenes. Filtration systems are removing debris and particles, sanitizers are keeping the water safe, and balanced chemistry is protecting both swimmers and equipment. When those elements work together properly, the result is water that looks effortless — even though maintaining it requires skill and attention.

Yann Morvan, Product Line Leader for Smart Water Quality at Pentair Pool, believes water clarity ultimately becomes the defining measure of a service professional’s work.

“Water quality is essentially the signature of a pool professional’s work,” Morvan said. “It’s the most visible — or sometimes invisible — proof of their craftsmanship. If the water is always perfect every time a homeowner steps outside, that builds deep trust.”

That trust has a direct impact on customer relationships. When water quality is consistent, homeowners stop worrying about their pool and simply enjoy it. But when water turns cloudy or chemistry slips out of balance, confidence can erode quickly.

“Cloudy or unbalanced water is often the number one reason clients switch service providers,” Morvan said. “So the stakes are real.”

The Elements That Create Perfect Water Quality

Clarity Is Only the Beginning

When Pentair talks about “perfect water,” Morvan explains that the concept extends far beyond visual clarity. While homeowners may judge their pool primarily by appearance, the reality is that water quality is the result of multiple systems working in harmony.

“Perfect water is really an orchestra of different elements all working together,” Morvan said.

Clarity may be the most obvious indicator, but it only reflects what’s happening deeper within the system. Balanced chemistry plays a critical role, ensuring that pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer levels remain within the proper range. Those factors protect pool surfaces and equipment while also helping sanitizers work effectively.

“You’ve got balance — the pH, the alkalinity, the calcium hardness, the CYA — all working together to protect both swimmers and the equipment,” Morvan said.

Sanitization: The Invisible Layer

The final component of healthy pool water is sanitization, which ensures the water remains safe for swimmers. Most pools rely on chlorine to eliminate contaminants, bacteria, and organic waste introduced through regular use.

“And then you’ve got sanitization — the invisible layer, typically chlorine, that makes the water genuinely safe,” Morvan said.

When clarity, balance, and sanitization are all working together, the difference becomes immediately noticeable.

“You get what I’d describe as a resort pool experience,” Morvan said. “That silky feel. No harsh smell. Water that just invites you in.”

If any one of those elements drifts out of balance, the experience begins to break down.

“The water might look dull, smell off, or worse — become unsafe,” he said.

Understanding Saltwater Pools

Debunking the “Chlorine-Free” Myth

Advances in pool technology have made it easier to maintain consistent water quality. One of the biggest changes over the past decade has been the widespread adoption of salt chlorine generators. Today, more than seventy percent of new inground pools in the United States are installed with salt systems.

Despite their popularity, Morvan says misconceptions about saltwater pools remain common.

“The biggest misconception we see is that salt pools are chlorine-free,” Morvan said. “That’s completely false.”

Saltwater pools still rely on chlorine to sanitize the water. The difference lies in how that chlorine is introduced into the system.

“Salt systems produce chlorine on-site from the dissolved salt in the water rather than requiring you to manually add tablets or liquid chlorine,” Morvan explained.

Instead of periodic spikes caused by adding chemicals, salt systems generate chlorine continuously.

“A salt system microdoses constantly,” Morvan said. “That gives you a much more stable chlorine level around the clock.”

How Salty Is a Salt Pool?

Another common misunderstanding involves the salt concentration itself. Many homeowners assume saltwater pools resemble ocean water. In reality, the difference is dramatic.

“A properly maintained saltwater pool runs at around 3,500 parts per million of salt,” Morvan said. “The ocean sits at roughly 35,000 parts per million.”

At those levels, most swimmers can’t even taste the salt.

“What people notice instead is that the water feels softer and more comfortable,” he said.

Salt systems reduce the need for manual chlorine additions, but Morvan cautions that they still require attention.

“Salt systems dramatically reduce maintenance, but they are not maintenance-free,” he said. “You still need to monitor pH, monitor salt levels, and eventually replace the cell.”

A Chlorine Factory Built Into the Pool

How Salt Chlorination Works

Salt chlorination works through a process known as electrolysis. Salt — sodium chloride — is dissolved directly into the pool water. As the water circulates through the plumbing system, it passes through a salt cell containing electrically charged plates.

“The salt cell has titanium blades coated with a special compound,” Morvan explained. “When electricity passes through those blades, it separates the chlorine from the sodium, and once it’s done sanitizing, it converts back into salt,” Morvan said. “So it’s essentially a closed loop.”

Because the salt is recycled during the process, it rarely needs to be replaced except when diluted through splash-out, backwashing, or heavy rainfall.

Designed With Service Pros in Mind

Easier Repairs Through Modular Design

Recent improvements in salt chlorine generators have focused heavily on making the equipment easier to service. Feedback from builders and technicians played a major role in the redesign of Pentair’s IntelliChlor units.

“Builders and service professionals told us they wanted equipment that fit the realities of the pad and the service call,” Morvan said.

One major improvement is the modular electronics design.

“The electronics module now clips on and off,” Morvan said. “If there’s an issue, you replace just that component instead of the whole cell.”

Improved Sensors and Diagnostics

Sensor technology has also been upgraded. The new sensor module measures temperature, water flow, and salinity simultaneously, providing more accurate information to technicians.

“The salinity reading is now about 98 percent as accurate as a lab-grade tester,” Morvan said.

The system also includes more than twenty diagnostic codes visible directly on the display, helping technicians identify problems quickly.

“The unit can tell you whether the issue is the cell, the power center, or the automation connection,” Morvan said.

Importantly, the redesign also simplifies upgrades.

“The new cell is a 100 percent drop-in replacement for existing IntelliChlor installations,” Morvan said.

Filtration Still Plays a Critical Role

Pleatco Technology Joins the Lineup

While sanitization keeps water safe, filtration removes the particles that cause water to appear cloudy. According to Morvan, the two systems must work in tandem to maintain consistent clarity.

“Sanitization and filtration really have to work together,” he said.

Pentair recently expanded its filtration lineup through the addition of Pleatco cartridge technology, which is now included in Pentair cartridge filters.

“Pleatco cartridges are now standard across Pentair’s cartridge filter lineup,” Morvan said.

Improved Flow and Debris Capture

Pleatco cartridges incorporate several design features intended to improve filtration efficiency. PurePleat technology keeps pleats evenly spaced, maintaining filtration surface area over time. Point-bonded filter media distributes debris capture across the entire cartridge surface, helping extend cleaning intervals.

Another design improvement focuses on water flow. Pleatco’s free-flow core maximizes the space water travels through, reducing pressure and improving overall system efficiency.

The Future of Pool Water Management

Moving Toward Predictive Care

Looking ahead, Morvan believes the pool industry is moving toward a more proactive approach to water management powered by connected technology and automation.

“The vision for predictive care is continuous monitoring of key parameters like pH, ORP, temperature, salinity, and flow,” Morvan said.

Sensors and automation systems can track those variables in real time, allowing the system to make small adjustments before conditions drift into problematic ranges.

“You’re not responding to cloudy water,” Morvan said. “You’re preventing the conditions that cause cloudy water.”

Automation also allows service professionals to monitor pools remotely and identify potential issues early.

“It’s almost like shifting from being a pool cleaner to being a water quality analyst,” Morvan said.

For Morvan, the goal remains simple: helping pool professionals deliver consistently great water.

“Water quality is not just a technical outcome,” Morvan said. “It’s an experience you deliver to your clients — and it’s the foundation of everything they think about your business.”

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with Yann Morvan on the Pool Magazine Podcast.

The post Building Trust With Water Quality appeared first on PoolMagazine.com - Get The Latest Pool News.

Drought is shaping up to be one of the defining issues for the pool industry this season in Texas.

According to the latest drought monitoring data, over 80% of the state is currently experiencing at least some level of drought conditions. Large portions of South and Central Texas are facing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought classifications — the highest levels on the scale.

As temperatures begin to climb and pool season approaches, the conversation around water use is starting to intensify. For the pool industry, that discussion always brings a mix of concern, confusion, and opportunity.

Texas consistently ranks among the top states in the country for residential pool ownership. Warm weather, long swimming seasons, and rapid suburban growth have made backyard pools a staple in many communities across the state.

But when water becomes scarce, swimming pools often get pulled into the broader public debate about conservation.

Drought Puts Swimming Pools In The Crosshairs

When drought conditions worsen, municipalities typically introduce staged conservation measures designed to reduce water consumption.

These restrictions usually start with things like limiting lawn irrigation schedules or restricting car washing. As conditions tighten, additional measures can follow. In some areas, that can eventually include limits on filling decorative water features, restrictions on new pool fills, or guidelines about maintaining proper water levels without waste.

Even when pools are not specifically targeted by regulation, they often become part of the public conversation simply because they are visible.

A full backyard pool can stand in stark contrast to brown lawns and dry landscapes. As a result, pools sometimes become symbolic in drought discussions, even though their actual water usage patterns are often misunderstood.

The Reality of Pool Water Use

One of the most persistent misconceptions about pools is that they constantly consume large volumes of water.

In reality, once a pool is filled, it functions largely as a contained system. While the initial fill of a typical residential pool can require roughly 15,000 to 30,000 gallons of water, ongoing water use is primarily driven by evaporation and minor maintenance top-offs rather than continuous consumption.

Annual replacement water for many residential pools often falls somewhere in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 gallons depending on climate, wind, and whether a pool cover is used.

By comparison, landscape irrigation—particularly traditional turf lawns—can consume far more water over the same period. Studies comparing water use have found that lawns of similar square footage may require tens of thousands of gallons annually, and in some cases over 160,000 gallons per year depending on climate and irrigation practices.

Fiction vs Reality

In reality, once a pool is filled, it operates as a contained system. Water loss typically occurs through evaporation, splash-out, or minor backwashing depending on the filtration system being used.

For most residential pools, evaporation is the primary factor driving water replacement.

While initial fills can require a substantial amount of water, ongoing annual replacement volumes are generally far lower than many people assume. Compared to irrigation systems that run daily throughout the summer, a properly maintained pool can represent a relatively stable water footprint.

Still, during periods of drought, perception often matters as much as the numbers. When water shortages intensify, swimming pools frequently become part of the broader conservation conversation.

The Impact on New Pool Construction

For pool builders across Texas, the concern is equally measured. It’s undeniable that drought headlines can affect customer psychology. Even before restrictions are implemented, potential buyers may begin asking questions.

Will they be allowed to fill the pool once construction is complete?
Could new restrictions limit how the pool is used?
And in the middle of a drought, how will neighbors perceive it?

These concerns can slow down decision-making for homeowners who are already evaluating the cost of a pool project.

Texas heat still makes backyard pools extremely attractive, but uncertainty around water policy can stretch sales timelines or delay projects in certain regions. Builders may also see an increase in questions about water-efficient designs, filtration systems, and evaporation control.

Service Companies May See a Different Effect

While drought can create trepidation for new construction, service companies often experience a different dynamic.

When water becomes scarce, pool owners tend to become more cautious about losing it. Small leaks that might have been ignored during wetter years suddenly become urgent issues. Equipment that wastes water through inefficient operation draws greater scrutiny.

Industry veteran Harold Tapley says the industry has seen that pattern play out before. After decades working on the West Coast—where drought conditions and water policy have long shaped how pools are built and maintained—Tapley has watched how quickly regulators begin examining water use across all sectors, including backyard pools.

How The Industry Is Responding

“As drought conditions intensify in Central Texas and across the Colorado River Basin, water policies could be impacted,” Tapley explained. “I can tell you that when Nevada experienced drought conditions, places like Las Vegas began limiting new pool construction to a maximum of 600 square feet. When California experienced drought conditions, certain counties paused pool construction permits for a while. Water conservation concerns are real and always an important topic within the pool industry.”

Tapley advised that one of the areas most likely to draw attention during drought conditions is the routine maintenance of the pool itself. Practices such as backwashing filters or cleaning cartridges can discharge large amounts of treated water that must then be replaced with a potable supply. As water agencies increasingly look for ways to reduce waste, those processes are becoming a greater part of the conservation conversation.

Tapley, a member of the PHTA-13 commission on Water Conservation Efficiency, says newer water recovery technologies are beginning to offer a way to dramatically reduce those losses.

“Backwashing in particular, discharges treated water that must then be replaced, and cartridge filter cleaning can waste significant amounts of water,” Tapley said. “Certified reuse systems can now recover 80–99% of that water—transforming what was once waste into measurable conservation.”

Tapley indicated that in challenging times, when drought restrictions come into play, service professionals may see increased demand for:

• Leak detection
• Equipment optimization
• Water level management
• Water reuse systems
• Filtration efficiency improvements

Homeowners want reassurance that their pools are operating responsibly and not wasting water unnecessarily. For service companies, positioning themselves as water management experts can become an important differentiator during drought conditions.

Texas and the Backyard Pool Market

Texas has one of the largest residential pool markets in the country. Major metropolitan areas such as Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio continue to see strong demand for backyard pools due to population growth, climate conditions, and lifestyle preferences. But the scale of that market means that drought conditions can have wide-ranging effects across the industry.

Builders, service companies, retailers, and equipment manufacturers all operate within a broader ecosystem that depends on consumer confidence and stable infrastructure. When water supply concerns begin to dominate local headlines, that confidence can shift.

Potential Regulatory Responses

If drought conditions persist or intensify, expect municipalities to begin introducing additional conservation measures.

Possible actions might include:

• Limits on pool refilling during certain hours or days
• Temporary delays for filling newly constructed pools
• Stricter enforcement of visible water waste
• Increased public messaging about responsible water use

Historically, most municipalities attempt to strike a balance between conservation goals and practical realities. Swimming pools are rarely among the largest drivers of municipal water use compared to agricultural irrigation or landscape watering. However, because pools are highly visible, they often become part of the public conversation when drought conditions intensify.

How the Industry Can Respond

For the pool industry, drought conditions highlight the importance of education. Pool professionals can emphasize design choices that help reduce water loss, including:

• Pool covers that reduce evaporation
• Efficient filtration systems that minimize backwash waste
• Automatic water level controls
• Smart monitoring technologies that detect leaks early

Service companies can also play a role by helping homeowners maintain pools responsibly. Regular equipment inspections, proper water chemistry management, and leak detection services all contribute to minimizing unnecessary water loss.

Communicating these practices clearly to customers helps reinforce the idea that pools can be managed responsibly even during periods of water stress.

Innovation and Adaptation

Water scarcity often accelerates innovation. Manufacturers are continuing to develop technologies that improve efficiency across the pool ecosystem. Variable-speed pumps, smarter automation systems, and improved filtration technology all contribute to more responsible water and energy use.

As drought conditions become more common across parts of the country, with many experts linking the trend to climate change, these technologies are likely to become standard expectations rather than optional upgrades. Builders and service companies that stay ahead of these trends will be better positioned to navigate future drought cycles.

Looking Ahead

Drought conditions in Texas may fluctuate throughout the year depending on rainfall patterns and seasonal weather shifts. But the current situation serves as a reminder of how closely the pool industry is tied to broader environmental conditions.

Water is the foundation of the entire business. When water becomes scarce, it affects not only regulations but also consumer perceptions, purchasing behavior, and long-term planning.

Overall, the Texas pool market remains strong, fueled by the state’s climate and outdoor lifestyle. New pool construction has cooled slightly over the past three years following the pandemic surge — a trend we recently explored in our analysis of Texas pool permit data. Even so, demand remains healthy. What may change this season is the conversation around water management as drought conditions intensify across the state.

For industry professionals, those conversations represent both a challenge and an opportunity. The companies that succeed will be the ones that help homeowners understand how to enjoy their pools while also managing water responsibly.

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