Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Aquatic Facilities with Cloward H2O and Life Floor

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Cloward H2O, an expert in aquatic design, is wrapping up its four-part series, Depths of Design, in collaboration with Life Floor, a leader in aquatic safety surfacing. This series delves into the industry’s most critical issues, including optimisation, safety, budgeting, sustainability, and accessibility. In this segment, they will focus on water chemistry and safety surfacing.

Effective management of water chemistry is fundamental for the operation of recreational water bodies like pools and waterparks. It is crucial for ensuring patron safety, adhering to regulatory standards, and maintaining the longevity of the facility. Proper water chemistry management involves meticulously balancing various chemical levels to mitigate health risks, protect equipment, and enhance the overall efficiency of the facility.

Just as NSF-certified equipment is essential in mechanical rooms for pumps and filtration systems to maintain appropriate water chemistry, it is equally important to understand the NSF International surfacing standards tailored for interactive water play venues and pool deck perimeters.

Certified surfaces fulfil criteria such as slip resistance, impact attenuation, impermeability, cleanability, UV resistance, and chemical resistance, ensuring safety in challenging aquatic environments. Accredited surfacing also protects operators from liability; in the event of a slip and fall incident, they can demonstrate compliance with best practices.

Safety in the Water

The safety of patrons is the primary concern in any aquatic facility. “When water chemistry is not properly balanced, it can create an environment conducive to harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens can lead to various waterborne illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections, skin rashes, and respiratory issues,” explains Allen Clawson, principal and managing partner at Cloward H2O.

Water clarity is another critical aspect closely linked to water chemistry. Clear water is vital for lifeguards to effectively monitor swimmers and respond to emergencies. Cloudy water resulting from poor chemical management compromises visibility and heightens drowning risks.

In addition to microbial threats, incorrect chemical levels can directly harm patrons. “For example, excessively high chlorine levels can cause eye irritation, skin rashes, and respiratory problems, making the swimming experience uncomfortable or even hazardous. Conversely, insufficient chlorine levels fail to adequately disinfect the water, increasing the risk of infections,” Clawson adds.

Maintaining properly balanced water chemistry is essential for preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms, thereby safeguarding swimmers’ health.

Compliance with regulations is mandatory for recreational water facilities to ensure patron safety. Local, state, and federal standards dictate water quality to protect public health. Non-compliance can lead to fines, closures, or legal liabilities. Thus, effective water chemistry management is crucial for meeting these requirements and avoiding penalties.

Three Best Practices for Water Chemistry Management

Regular Testing

Consistent and accurate testing of water chemistry is vital. “Daily testing helps monitor and adjust chemical levels, maintaining optimal conditions,” states Clawson.

“Automated systems can enhance this process by providing real-time data and adjustments. Weekly or monthly comprehensive tests assess parameters like pH, chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid, allowing for early detection and correction of imbalances. Detailed record-keeping aids in tracking trends and ensuring regulatory compliance.”

Proper Chemical Storage and Handling

Safe chemical storage and handling are essential for effective water treatment and staff safety.

“Store chemicals in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and moisture, and segregate incompatible substances to prevent reactions. Proper handling involves using personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhering to manufacturer guidelines.” Training staff on spill response is also crucial to prevent accidents and maintain chemical effectiveness.

Routine Maintenance

Regular upkeep of filtration and circulation systems is vital for efficient water management.

“Tasks such as cleaning filters, inspecting pumps, and checking for leaks ensure these systems function properly, distributing chemicals evenly and removing debris. Structural inspections help identify damage from chemical imbalances, allowing for timely repairs and prolonging the facility’s lifespan.”

Proactive maintenance guarantees a safe, inviting pool and prevents costly disruptions.

Key Aspects of Water Chemistry Management

Effective water chemistry management is crucial for the safety, functionality, and longevity of pools and waterparks. Key factors to monitor include pH, chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid.

Cloward H2O summarises these critical aspects:

pH Levels

• Optimal range: 7.2 to 7.6.
• Purpose: ensures chlorine efficacy and prevents equipment damage.
• Low pH leads to aggressive water, causing skin/eye irritation and corrosion of metal components.
• High pH reduces chlorine effectiveness and causes scaling on surfaces and pipes.

Chlorine Levels

• Free chlorine range: 1.0 to 3.0 ppm for effective disinfection.
• Combined chlorine (chloramines) should remain below 0.5 ppm to prevent unpleasant odours, irritation, and respiratory discomfort.
• Purpose: disinfects water, eliminates pathogens, and ensures a safe swimming environment.

Alkalinity

• Recommended range: 80 to 120 ppm.
• Purpose: stabilises pH levels to prevent rapid fluctuations.
• Low alkalinity causes unstable pH, leading to corrosion and swimmer discomfort.
• High alkalinity leads to difficulty adjusting pH, cloudy water, and scaling.

Calcium Hardness

• Optimal range: 200 to 400 ppm.
• Low calcium causes water to leach calcium from surfaces, leading to corrosion and etching.
• High calcium causes scaling, reducing the efficiency of pipes and filtration systems.
• Purpose: protects pool surfaces and equipment integrity.

Cyanuric Acid

• Ideal range: 0 to 30 ppm for outdoor pools.
• Purpose: stabilises chlorine, protecting it from sunlight degradation.
• Excess cyanuric acid reduces chlorine effectiveness, increasing the risk of waterborne illnesses.

By regularly monitoring and adjusting these parameters, pool operators can maintain a safe, clean, and efficient swimming environment while extending the lifespan of the facility’s infrastructure.

Designing for Accessible Aquatics

Successful aquatic facilities offer a variety of programmes tailored to the unique needs of their community demographics. Programming typically includes free swimming, aquatic play, learn-to-swim classes, physiotherapy, group fitness, and competitive swimming. Operators enhance safety and accessibility for visitors with varying physical abilities by incorporating safety surfacing in areas prone to slips.

“We see this play out (pun intended), especially in areas designated for play,” remarks Gwen Schlotte, vice president of specification and strategic partnerships at Life Floor. “Play comes in many styles. It can be imaginative, collaborative, multi-generational, exploratory, introspective, and even risky.”

“Creating distinct areas, or zones, for different play styles is key to designing interactive play that serves diverse populations. For instance, some guests find 500-gallon dump buckets thrilling, while others prefer to stay by low-flow ground sprays. Designing for these varied preferences can be challenging, but allowing people to choose their own adventure in a way that boosts their confidence while navigating the space is essential.”

Utilising surface colour to differentiate between zones can help build guests’ confidence as they interact and play.

“Incorporating cushioned and slip-resistant safety surfacing will better protect guests engaging in active risky play like running, jumping, and crawling while enabling play for visitors with higher fall risk. Visual signals such as surface colour, themed elements, and spray intensity markers empower users to navigate spaces more confidently.”

Similarly, tactile signals like texture changes can thoughtfully engage guests who are visually impaired. Operators may also consider aquatic manufacturers like EpicSurf, Wibit, and Life Floor, which provide products that are Certified Autism Resources accredited by IBCCES to meet one or more Areas of Autism Competency.

Surfacing design can encompass 50-90% of a facility, telling a story while accommodating diverse needs and play styles. Unique colours, patterns, and imagery enhance branding and value in aquatic spaces. Designers can utilise surfaces for wayfinding, playful characters, vibrant themes, and engaging games to spark imagination.

Positive Guest Experiences

Life Floor measures success through stories about positive guest experiences and the meaningful differences their products make.

A key success often highlighted is centred around safety and how its products work to eliminate slip and fall incidents from day one of installation. Ensuring lifeguards focus on safety enhances success. Instead of managing injury reports or ice packs, they can better monitor the water and oversee a larger crowd, confident that the surface prevents slips and falls.

Beyond safety, there is immense value in design and accessibility. “Our industry continues to pivot more into themed entertainment and inclusive spaces to thrill guests with immersive experiences,” states Schlotte. “While safety is a solid backbone to provide peace of mind and achieve best practices, there’s a greater calling to choose multi-faceted products like Life Floor that embrace storytelling and branding elements.”

“We used to rely heavily on ice packs, and we don’t need to do that anymore,” shares Grove Cove Aquatic Center Pool Deck in Maple Grove, Minnesota, US. “Kids pop up and keep going.”

“The design really looks great, the way the colours all came together,” remarks Pleasant Glade Pool in Grapevine, Texas, US. “We’re really pleased with the design; it’s soft enough that you could drop an egg on it, so it will protect the kids if they slip and hit their head. It’s amusing; our staff didn’t believe us when we said it, so they went out and bought a couple of eggs, and they totally bounced. It proved our point.”

“As a mother with clumsy kids, trying to keep everyone safe while enjoying myself at the waterpark, these soft floors made this park top our list of favourite parks,” says Jaime Lones, a visitor at Showboat Island Resort in New Jersey, US.

“The baby could sit next to the splash features without worrying about them bumping their head on concrete while I’m distracted looking at the other kids. Not to mention the relief on my back and knees at the end of the day. We’ve been to hundreds of parks, but this was our first with Life Floor throughout the entire park, and it genuinely changed the experience.”

An Approach Together

Effective water chemistry management is central to operating safe, compliant aquatic facilities. Cloward H2O brings extensive expertise in designing systems that balance chemical use, ensuring water remains clear, clean, and safe. They integrate automated dosing systems and smart filtration to optimise water quality and reduce operational costs.

Life Floor complements this by offering NSF-certified safety surfaces that are chemically resistant and easy to clean, ensuring long-term durability in aquatic environments. Together, these firms provide comprehensive solutions that mitigate liability risks, enhance safety, and ensure the long-term health of the facility.

“Our hands-on approach, combined with our deep industry knowledge, ensures that no challenge is too great,” states Clawson.

“We assist clients in navigating complex economic and safety concerns, providing ongoing support that makes a real difference. Our success is reflected in the feedback from those we work with.”

For instance, Phillip Melton, operations manager at Montgomery Whitewater, states: “The ability to call with random questions, get feedback, and receive extra help when needed is invaluable.”

Cloward H2O and Life Floor remain dedicated to building partnerships that result in safe, efficient, and financially sound world-class aquatic facilities by blending innovative design, practical solutions, and unwavering support.