Pool directors have to oversee various departments to ensure that the facility’s operations are running properly and smoothly. At times, there may be conflicts of interest, but directors should always trust their maintenance specialists when it comes to optimizing water quality and, therefore, guaranteeing safety.
Lisa Bowman, an aquatics director, was featured in Aquatics International magazine and wrote about an incident in which her rush to open the pool in time for peak season met resistance from her maintenance supervisor. Her team had to refill the pool three times in 12 days because she pushed her maintenance technician into filling the pool despite his hesitation. In the end, the problem wasn’t resolved in time, postponing the facility’s opening.
Acknowledge pool maintenance workers’ expertise
Becoming a certified pool maintenance technician is no easy feat. It requires training through a licensed organization and covers areas of operation including water chemistry and testing, pool filtration, and maintenance. They also have to familiarize themselves with automatic feeding equipment and other maintenance parts. Additionally, they must learn about and know how to adhere to federal and local regulations.
If pool directors are ever in situations where their interests conflict with those of their maintenance specialists, consider these two reasons to step back and listen to their advice before asking them to perform a task they’re not comfortable with.
1. Get an expert opinion: There are so many working parts to a pool that a small change can lead to a big problem. All the mechanical components of a pool operate together and affect the water chemistry. Trying to resolve one issue might cause another one. The people who are best equipped to handle these decisions are pool maintenance technicians who know all about the different pieces of equipment, how they work and how the adjustment of one part will affect the others. Therefore, before making any big decisions, speak to maintenance specialists to determine whether it’s a good idea.
2. Trust in certification: Certified maintenance technicians received their titles through training, so you can rest assured knowing that your pool is always in good hands. Ensuring that a pool is operating at optimal levels involves working with and listening to people from every department. If you require a second opinion, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pool company for further insight.