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Rita Rowlen
Rita Rowlen attended WSU, Michael Gerber E-Myth Program, Associated Pool and Spa Professional (APSP) Certified Technical training, and numerous industry educational events over a 40-year span. She was an APSP Region V Board member for 17 years, National Vice-President APSP Board Member, Mid-America Pool and Spa Show Chairman, and a speaker at numerous trade show and vendor events. Her company Ultra Modern Pool and Spa has won numerous awards including the prestigious “Aqua Hall of Fame” and top 100 Pool and Spa Dealers. Rita and her 6 siblings grew up in the swimming pool and hot tub business. She and her husband, Lance have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Hobbies are swimming, boating and reading.
Pool & patio
2013-05-29 09:11:48
Keeping pool safe for kids
Q-Is there a way to keep my pool safe from harmful bacteria so my children can have fun in the backyard pool without fear of disease, rashes or infection?
A-What is great about a backyard pool is that you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to purification that results in clean, clear, safe water, making it the safest place for your children to have fun in a pool! Working Together We have found the best solution to having crystal clear water and keeping it safe is to combine systems. There still hasn’t been an all-in-one pool sanitation solution invented. Our recommendation is to combine two systems, such as the following: Ultraviolet – The Rise of UV Sanitation Ultra Violet Light or commonly referred to as UV-C systems are designed to kill the types of bacteria that shut down hotel and community pools. This bacteria is commonly known as cryptosporidium which is classified as a serious recreational water illness (RWI). The state of Utah requires that all public pools frequented by children include an ultra violet light sanitization system as an added layer of protection. Currently, it is one of the only systems that kills up to 99.9% of this type of bacteria; however, ultra violet light systems do not have a residual so chlorine is required. We suggest you combine this system with chlorine or bromine. Chlorine quantities will be reduced substantially as the UV-C system kills bacteria so the work load is less for the free and available chlorine in the pool. The combination of a UV-C system and a chlorine salt generator works great as team. Fortunately, we now have smaller lower cost units making adding UV systems affordable. Prices start at $ 599 plus installation. Ozone – Approved Model by CDC Like UV, ozone uses waves of electromagnetic energy to inactivate and/or kill microorganisms in the water. Some pool owners will have both systems installed and then very little chlorine is required to maintain a residual. Ozone makes your pool cleaner because it is a better oxidizer than chlorine. The Centers for Disease Control’s Model Aquatics Health Code has recommended ozone disinfection as one of the approved methods to be used together with chlorine in commercial pool disinfection. Ozone kills dangerous microorganisms that can get into shared water almost on contact, far quicker than chlorine. Ozone destroys a wider range of contaminants than chlorine, including those typical things like lotions, cosmetics and urine that chlorine doesn’t touch. Dissolved ozone has no by-products except ordinary oxygen. Ozone is easy to add, effective and leaves nothing to clean up. Ozone is injected when your pump runs. Ozone permits a big reduction in chlorine savings on chemical bills and at the same time it is easier on the environment. Prices start at $397 plus installation Dual Mineral and chlorine system – Simple and easy to use This system utilizes controlled release of mineral technology and low-level chlorination. This system maintains clean, clear, silky soft water. The minerals last up to 6 months and the prepackaged chlorine Pac lasts 3-5 weeks depending on the size of the pool and the bather load. Salt pools – Eliminates carrying chlorine containers A salt pool is a pool that has a chlorine generator installed. A salt generator produces chlorine in the pool. Pool salt is added directly to the pool. The salt generator will convert the salt to chlorine to sanitize your pool. You will feel the difference of softer, smoother water with very little of the skin irritation associated with concentrated chlorine. The generator cell needs to be replaced and or cleaned frequently. This can cost up to 70% of the original salt generator price. If you have heard that a salt pool needs no other chemicals, this statement is not correct. The mineral content of your pool water will need to be balanced along with keeping the pH and Alkalinity range at proper levels. This unit works great in combination with UV-C or Ozone. Units are now smaller, more affordable and an over the wall unit makes it really easy to install. Prices start at $399. Most importantly, have your pool professional perform a computerized water analysis at the start of the season, each month and prior to closing your pool for winter. The use of stabilizer and Optimizer has tremendous advantages in any pool system. My best advice is to select a system that is easy for you to administer. Then schedule your maintenance on a digital calendar with reminders and stay with the schedule for trouble free, clean and clear pool water maintenance.
 
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