One of the implications of the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is that training for aquatics professionals will have to change.  A whole generation of aquatics pros has been thoroughly grounded in the complex chemistry of pool sanitation, primarily based on chlorine and its many permutations.

Now, with the advent of the MAHC recommendation of ozone or UV for secondary disinfection of public pools, the maintenance of the pool will change.  This change is going to be for the better, both because there will be fewer unwanted chemical byproducts and because the disinfection program will be more effective in combating chlorine-resistant micro-organisms like cryptosporidium.

The question is, are we ready for it?

Traditional Training to Manage Pool Water

We decided to take a quick look into how ozone and other non-chlorine sanitizers are treated in current training regimens.  We did not do an exhaustive study of this, but just looked through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Candidate Handbook (PDF in new window) which gives an overview of the test requirements for their Aquatic Facility Operator certification.

The NRPA is one of the most respected organizations for its aquatics program.  There is nothing easy about passing its 3-hour certification exam, which covers mechanical concepts, pool systems equipment, repair and maintenance issues, pool water chemistry, and risk management. This extensive body of knowledge provided the basis for traditional pool management.  When applied rigorously, these practices provided sanitary pool conditions, most of the time.

In the practice questions in the NRPA’s Candidate Handbook, there is one asking about what ozone is.  This is a good start.  A thorough answer to this question would indicate that the candidate understands how ozone can supply reliable disinfection working in combination with traditional practices.

Beyond the Basics:  Ozone and Pool Chemistry

Perhaps in that full 3-hour exam, there’s a lot more about ozone pool sanitation.  We certainly think there should be.  The emerging MAHC water quality guidelines point to some of the issues aquatics pros should know about:

• The kinds of venues where ozone is mandatory, rather than just recommended.
• Ozone equipment sizing, installation and maintenance.
• Control systems, including integration with chlorine feeds and monitors (the NRPA test covers ORP already, so the concepts are in place).

Beyond this, aquatics professionals will need to understand how ozone interacts with their traditional chemicals.  What kind of dosing is required when ozone is in place?  What kinds of contaminants are NOT eliminated by ozone?  How will ozone affect water chemistry testing and desired chemical profile?

In our experience, the answers to these questions depend on specific pool system parameters.  But there is clearly scope for a general introduction of these issues and concepts into an aquatics curriculum.  We look forward to helping the industry define these concepts.

Please Share Your Thoughts

This is a forward-looking post, and we know many of you are also thinking about the issue we are raising here.  What do you think about this?