Pools & Spas

Why Pools are Worth Their Weight in Water
Ongoing drought is always an existential threat to the watershaping industry, even though, as industry veterans, Scott Cohen and Eric Herman point out, pools use little water compared to planted landscapes and provide a spectrum of benefits that bolster individual health and society at large. ...
Crucial Start (the importance of plaster start-ups)
In WaterShapes’ June 2nd edition, we ran a description of plaster start-up procedures as taught by chemical manufacturer, Biolab. Always an attention-grabbing topic, the piece drew a strong response. Among those offering feedback, service veteran Jerry Wallace, felt that the story fell short, and offered this piece to add to the discussion. ...
The Case for Covers
As the drought drags on through the summer months, concerns over saving water are rising, and are now prompting southwestern cities and counties to implement water-conservation restrictions targeting pools. Fortunately, argues Tom Dankel, solid covers dramatically reduce evaporation and are a front-line asset in the fight to keep pools in use. ...
The Disconnected River
Lazy rivers have become a mainstay in countless waterparks and resort pool facilities. As Eric Herman points out here, it is vitally important that when properties advertise the presence of a lazy river, that it actually fits the definition. As he recently discovered, it’s a surprisingly big disappointment when that turns out to be untrue. ...
Summer Education Heats Up
Watershape University is not taking the summer off, but we are easing up on the comprehensive educational programs we present the rest of the year. WU’s Summer Series offers brief but useful educational tidbits that watershapers can incorporate into their work providing top-shelf design, engineering and construction services. ...
Protecting Plaster: The First 28 Days
Pool start-ups have long been recognized as a key phase where the construction process gives way to service, a time where the curing process is crucial to the appearance and longevity of pool plaster, and by dent also critical to keeping customers happy with the appearance of their new pool. ...
Essential Pool Construction Goes Live & Online
The Wolfpack is preparing a perfect summer-school offering, presenting its popular Construction 2111: Essential Pool Construction live and online over six evenings in July. No need to travel or take time away to elevate your understanding of the industry’s most essential construction knowledge.  ...
Systems Thinking
Generating quality water conditions should be a primary objective in all watershape designs, asserts Steve Kenny. Raising the bar, he says, means turning to a systems-based approach to water treatment that involves all aspects and components of watershape systems that move, filter, test, heat, balance, sanitize and contain water.   ...
Sunset Dynamics
Although this project was developed and installed back in 2014, it remains one of Kevin Cobabe’s personal favorites for a handful of unusual and special reasons he explains here. Featured in Sunset Magazine's “Idea House” program, the property gained widespread attention with a design that was most certainly ready for its close up. ...
Building a Cenote
Artificial rock can be used to great effect across a spectrum of watershape settings, especially when the design is inspired directly by nature, explains Bruce Riley. Case in point, this elaborate project is designed to recreate the magic of cenotes, the legendary watery caves of the Yucatan peninsula. ...