Some people say there are unattractive things we just can’t avoid in installing our watershapes, including the visual intrusions provided by junction boxes, drain covers, skimmer lids, deck drains, pool cover key switches, spa-side remotes and all sorts of other things I refer to as “architectural uglies.” Personally (and I know I’m not alone)… [more]
LESSONS LEARNED
Planning for a Rainy Day
In most backyard swimming pool projects, we install the drainage systems for decks after the swimming pool’s plumbing, basically because the pool plumbers use big trenchers that will likely destroy the small drainage plumbing if it’s already in place. That sequencing, combined in one instance with bad timing and a minor lapse in… [more]
INTERVIEW
Reviewing a Decade of ‘Book Notes’
Veteran readers of WaterShapes will recognize the name Mike Farley as the author of “Book Notes,” the magazine’s long-running and highly popular book review column. For the past decade, Mike has brought a world of useful material to the attention of watershapers who want to broaden their vision and expand their knowledge… [more]
BOOK NOTES
Capturing a Gift from the Skies
The numbers are eye-popping: Just about one percent of all the water on Planet Earth exists as fresh water suitable for human consumption. And depending on where you live in the United States, anywhere from a quarter to almost half of that precious resource is used for… [more]
JOIN THE DIALOGUE
Saltwater: A Convenient Scapegoat?
The many and varied responses we received in relation to Jeff Freeman’s article “Saltwater: A Convenient Scapegoat?” in the June 16 issue of WaterShapes EXTRA! conclusively prove one thing: The article did not end the controversy surrounding the effects of saltwater chlorination systems. Indeed, the fact that a … [more]
AQUA DESIGN GROUP
(Brooklyn, NY) offers underwater acrylic windows for pools. Designed not only to allow interesting light to filter into the pool but also so people outside the water… [more]
HAYWARD POOL PRODUCTS
(Elizabeth, NJ) offers high-flow drain covers and frames that comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. These anti-entrapment devices are… [more]
EVO ORGANIC
(Lexington, KY) offers the WonderWall Vertical Garden System. Designed to turn any wall into lush greenspace, the self-contained, space-saving modules fit in small or large spaces… [more]
ROMAN FOUNTAINS
(Albuquerque, NM) has introduced an advanced line of super-bright LED/RGB submersible lighting fixtures for use in decorative fountain applications. Designed with high-output, magnified LED … [more]