Commentaries, Interviews & Profiles

Losing the Language Wars
Does the language we use to describe watershapes matter? Eric Herman thinks so, but he also admits that as a long-time industry editor, he might care a bit too much. Should it be “infinity edge” or “vanishing edge”? Or should “spa” be replaced with “hot tub”? ...
Broken Mountains
Eric Herman recently returned to southern California’s San Bernadino Mountains only to find an alpine region reeling from drought, over population and a diseased forest. Despite the environmental devastation, tens of thousands of weekend vacationers were on hand elbowing their way in and around what little remains of the mountains that were once so welcoming. ...
Water’s Endless Beauty: an interview with artist April Waters
Inspiring artistic expression is one of the many ways that water impacts the human condition and experience. April Waters has mastered the art of painting aquatic scenes and has gained widespread acclaim for her work capturing the subtle beauty of nature. Her work and life experience are both testament to the beauty and power of natural waters.   ...
The Canal that Built a Nation
As we celebrate our nation’s independence, here’s an inspiring look at one of the most transforming examples of ingenuity in U.S. history – the Erie Canal. Connecting eastern cities and ports with the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal gave rise to an economic surge and geographic integration that propelled westward expansion. ...
United by Water
As we approach the 4th of July, 2022, Eric Herman offers a unique summation of our history and ongoing relationship with the world of water. As he points out, creating water infrastructure and technology stands among our society’s greatest achievements.    ...
Johnny Appleseed was Right: Embrace Urban Trees!
The presence of trees in cities makes life better, a fact made provable by a wide set of both measurable and purely intuitive positive effects. From economic benefits to positive emotional and social impacts to the pleasure of birds and bees, urban trees are worth hugging.   ...
The Magnificent Mighty Mo
One of the world’s most extraordinary athletes is 100 years old, and she’s a swimmer. Maureen Kornfeld, aka “Might Mo” continues to compete as a master swimmer, set records for her age bracket, and inspire nearly everyone she meets – living proof of the power of spirit and the value of swimming. ...
The Gumbo of Happiness
Great food served with love is one of the most enduring and universal cornerstones of the holiday experience. For Eric Herman, culinary traditions are both literal and symbolic of the qualities that define a life well lived, and sometimes all it takes are some finely chopped onions, celery and green peppers.   ...
Remembering Bob Lowry
For more than 50 years, pioneering industry chemist, Robert W. Lowry, worked to raise the pool-service industry’s knowledge of water chemistry maintenance, becoming of the best-known educators in the history of the industry. A long-time friend and colleague, Eric Herman, pays tribute to Lowry and remembers the first time they met.   ...
A Well of Compassion
Caring for the less fortunate, while at the same time building pools for the affluent, provides a striking contrast explains Matthew Batista Naylor. Serving the “houseless” people of Palm Springs, Calif., is a crusade for many concerned local citizens but it has also pitted Naylor and an organization known as “Well in the Desert” against local politicians who he says have demonstrated a stunning lack of compassion for those who need it most. ...