Three Eye-Opening Benefits of AOP Pool Sanitation
In today’s aquatic industry, we’re asked to do more with less. However, within our day-to-day operational challenges lie innovative opportunities to do things better. While economic times are tough, nimble aquatic facilities turned to AOP pool sanitation to maximize their time, money and staff.
To date, advanced oxidation process (AOP) supplemental sanitation has gained popularity among top-tier community centers, professional sports hydrotherapy facilities, universities, resorts and waterparks. Yet, many aquatic operators are unfamiliar with AOP’s potential and how it can save time and money spent on today’s operational hurdles.
So, let’s explore three ways AOP pool sanitation can help you rise to the challenge.
1. Future-Proof Your Water & Air Quality
In today’s era of health and wellness, many aquatics operators still use a chlorine-only sanitation method. But to meet patrons’ air and water quality standards, you need protection beyond chlorine’s capabilities alone. Traditional chlorine-only approaches are tried-and-true, but need AOP supplemental sanitation to address:
- Combined chlorine (chloramines)
Whether using chlorine, bromine or saltwater, your primary chlorine sanitation must be supplemented to combat combined chlorine formation. Fluctuations in bather load, whether from swim classes, swim team practices, pool parties or regular operations, can stretch chlorine-only methods to their limits. Not only does combined chlorine irritate eyes, skin and hair in pool water, it also causes persistent poor air quality and respiratory illnesses. - Chlorine-resistant pathogens, like Cryptosporidium
Remember the Cryptosporidium outbreaks that made national headlines? They not only tarnished reputations, but lead to costly lawsuits and facility closures. By filling in the gaps of chlorine’s limited capabilities, you can protect your staff, patrons and facility from chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidium and other disruptive pathogens.
Josh Herbert, Aquatics Division Manager at the City of Albuquerque, attests to Hydroxyl-Based AOP supplemental sanitation: “After several years of struggling with combined chlorine, it was completely eliminated after a matter of days. Patrons all say that the water just feels cleaner. One said it feels like swimming in freshwater.”
Hydroxyl-Based AOP harnesses the power of hydroxyl radicals, the most powerful oxidative compound available for recreational water treatment. When added to primary chlorine sanitation, these radicals destroy combined chlorine and chlorine-resistant pathogens. With chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidium protection proven by university studies, AOP lets you rest easy knowing your water is prepared for the health and wellness era.
2. Maximize Your Staff & Time
Staffing shortages have made keeping a stable workforce difficult. By adopting technologies that make jobs easier, we can broaden our workforce, increase productivity, boost morale and prevent staff burnout.
While you can’t predict when you’ll have a consistent staff roster, you can reallocate your budget towards user-friendly technologies, like AOP pool sanitation. Unlike other UV pool systems, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems only need 15 minutes of system care each year – no need for special tools, UV lamp handling, professional training or annual downtime. With AOP pool sanitation that’s pH-neutral, reduces chlorine usage and prevents combined chlorine, you’ll eliminate labor-intensive water testing, chemistry adjustments and troubleshooting.
Simplifying your aquatic operations with AOP frees up the time and patience your staff needs to focus on what matters most. From patron support to community outreach to administrative tasks, you’ll utilize staff where their skills shine brightest – and let AOP do the hard sanitation work. In turn, you’ll increase the likelihood of keeping a stable workforce that you and patrons can depend on.
3. Invest in Ongoing Cost Savings
Balancing your aquatic facility’s budget while keeping patrons happy can feel like a juggling act. Expenses related to staffing, pool chemicals, energy use, supplies and more can pile up quickly and strain your limited resources. Since the same old cost-cutting tricks won’t work in a challenging economy – it’s time to invest in your long-term savings for years to come.
Just as a long-distance swimmer conserves their energy for a 1500-meter freestyle event, your resources should be spent wisely for long-term stability. Investing in a high-performing AOP system can offset ongoing expenses for wear-and-tear, staff training, energy-consuming UV, chlorine and other pool chemicals.
In contrast to UV or UV + ozone AOP pool systems, patented Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems inject treated air directly into the plumbing, creating high concentrations of hydroxyl radicals. In fractions of a second, these radicals destroy contaminants in the plumbing and are consumed before reaching the pool. What sets Hydroxyl-Based AOP apart is its air-injection process that keeps the system pristine with no water flow wear-and-tear or corrosion to the pool or equipment.
Seasoned aquatic professionals endorse investing in a quality AOP pool supplemental sanitation system over chasing the quantity of short-term savings. Investing in AOP can stabilize your budget, even through fluctuations in chlorine costs or economic challenges. Overtime, a Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool system pays for itself through savings in time, labor, chlorine and other chemicals. Eliminating unnecessary ongoing costs with a high-quality investment allows you to protect your bottom line with confidence.
A Proactive Approach: Do More With Less
Like most aquatic professionals, you have more on your to-do list – but less time, money and staff to get it done. When you’re busy in the day-to-day of running an aquatic facility, your pool sanitation method can either help or hinder your limited resources. As we navigate toward more modest budgets, it’s crucial to understand where you and your staff’s energy, time and budget are spent.
Implementing AOP pool supplemental sanitation isn’t just resource-efficient – it’s a necessity for success in today’s operational and economic challenges. Incorporating an AOP pool, spa, splash pad or waterpark system into your next budget proposal can lead to substantial savings and long-term benefits for your aquatic facility.
So, if you want to treat your water like today’s top aquatic facilities, universities, professional sports hydrotherapy facilities and large-scale waterparks, it’s time to embrace a proactive AOP approach. Now that your water care is taken care of, you can confidently tackle repairs and optimizations for whatever the economy brings.
Ready to revolutionize your aquatic operations? To take the first step toward a more efficient and profitable future, set up a personalized consultation here.
*Originally published on Athletic Business.
