Stay tuned for more info about the general sessions.
Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) Certification the world’s leading verifiable pool and spa training credential for aquatic facility maintenance personnel, health officials, retailers, property owners, and other professionals. CPO® Certification provides individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. This training has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities.
Speakers: Steven Sherwood and Jennifer Mar
Certified Pool & Spa Inspector provides a standardized training program for health officials and pool operators to conduct pool and spa inspections. CPITM training assures a sanitary, healthy, and safe environment for staff and patrons of public swimming pools and spas. Purchase of this 3-hour online course includes a handbook. Successful completion earns a Record of Completion.
Speaker: TBD
This four-hour pre-conference presentation will provide health officials, planners, designers an in-depth analysis of how to create a proper construction plan for a successful pool plan review.
Speaker: John Mason
Join us as we kick-off the 2022 World Aquatic Health Conference. The past two years have created a variety of emotions, success, challenges, and unprecedented transitions. We’ll examine the data provided to the industry and discuss what the future may hold.
Speaker: Franceen Gonzalez
In this session, we’ll examine the multiple factors affecting the commercial aquatic industry at this time, discussion on facility operations and funding, finding quality employees, and rising costs will be discussed. Panelists will provide insight into how they’re managing this transitional time and their future plans.
Moderator: Adam Katchmarchi, PhD
CMAHC funding has been used to support the first two phases of a study to examine indoor air quality (IAQ) dynamics in indoor pool facilities and to develop a model to simulate this behavior. The results of IAQ monitoring will be presented along with data to illustrate the factors that affect IAQ dynamics. A model will be presented that allows simulation of these factors. The model also allows examination of the effects of engineering and operational measures that could be implemented to improve IAQ. The consequences of these measures will also be discussed. The work to date has focused on swimming venues in the upper Midwest of the US. If funded Phase 3 of this study will expand the investigation to areas with different climate conditions, as well as different swimming pool use types.
Speaker: Ernest “Chip” Blatchley, PhD, P.E., BCEE, FASCE
While inherent to many of their daily operations, staying up to date on current risk management practices is often a difficult task for aquatic operators. The inability to adequately mitigate risk with thorough risk management practices can lead to increased incidents, liability, and costs This course will examine the American Red Cross Aquatic Examiner Service (AES) visits and Loss Control visits conducted by Counsilman-Hunsaker and the top 10 commonly overlooked items for both AES visits and Loss Control visits.
Speakers: Kevin Post & Brennan Brossman
Diane Maiese, a pioneer for people of color in the sport of diving, has personally experienced limitations throughout her career with limited acceptance at every level. Through her story, you will hear about some of the challenges created by the history of aquatic facilities and programs from the time of segregation through modern day. The session will also examine statistics and data related to equitable aquatic offerings and discuss potential solutions the industry should consider.
Speakers: Diane Maiese & Kevin Post
With more public pools opening back after the pandemic, lifeguard shortage has been an upcoming problem, leading to water safety challenges. Cities and towns across the nation are reducing their hours or closing pools altogether because they cannot staff enough lifeguards. A potential solution to help assist human supervision for lifeguarding is camera technology, especially involving Artificial Intelligence (AI). During this session we’ll examine various drowning scenarios (that were artificially created by a trained lifeguard) and show how AI technology is able to identify the behavior. A scenario where there are multiple swimmers in which one swimmer undergoes distress will be presented and discussed. Finally, we’ll discuss some challenges and limitations of such AI technology
Speaker: Sai Reddy, PhD
Everyone who designs, installs, inspect, services, manages, and owns an elevated pool is aware of the potential for damage due to water infiltration. However, few are aware that a standard exists to address this issue, what the standard says and how to apply it. Durning this session, we’ll examine PHTA-10 standard and explain its existence and, more importantly, to further the breadth and depth of understanding on how the standard is designed and intended to be applied to minimize the risk of water infiltration from an elevated pool.
Speakers: Derek Downey & Mark Trapani
Taking over a staff of about 100 seasonal lifeguards with a retention rate of only about 40% at the end of 2018, a change in leadership mentality was needed. Hiring new staff has become very difficult in the past 10 years. In the summer of 2019 we implemented a point reward system for seasonal staff. Retention rates increased each year and are currently at an 85% retention after 3 years. In this session, we’ll go in depth with the structure of the point system, who gives points, and how the points are tracked. We’ll discuss how this system benefitted the leadership and quality of the workplace morale and finally examine how you can implement a similar system with your staff.
Speaker: James Browning
Indoor swimming venues present different opportunities and potential risks for both swimmers and operators. Managing the quality of the air inside those facilities is becoming a more prominent challenge as these facilities become more popular to swimmers. We will discuss the unique and potential risks associated with these venues as well as ways to mitigate those risks. We will explore the literature and put fact against fiction as well as discuss the latest new methods of controlling indoor air pollutants. This includes current regulations and guidelines including tips on ensuring proper water balance and testing.
Speakers: Ken Gregory, Terry Arko, Jody O’Grady & John Weber
During this session, we’ll examine information regarding OSHA 10 in General Industry Hazardous materials as it relates to the aquatic professional. This session will address examples of improper handling, storage, and use of paperwork in the aquatic and pool industry. We’ll also address how to handle, store, and the required paperwork for hazardous materials.
Speaker: Lauren Broom
NSF is considering updates to its standards, and NSF/ANSI/CAN-50 Equipment for Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Other Recreational Water Facilities is no exception. This session will provide an overview of some of the recent issues discussed by the NSF-50 Joint Committee as well as some of the Task Groups that are drafting new language for NSF-50. Some of the topics include:
Speaker: Ellen Meyer
During this presentation, we will first address the question of “What is servant leadership?” We will identify the positive outcomes associated with servant leadership, as well as the behaviors required of servant leaders. Our focus will be on helping facility managers to understand what they can do to create a culture that allows servant leadership to thrive in their organization. To demonstrate how these principles may be applied, we will review the ways in which SELA Aquatics has implemented servant leadership in their leadership development program.
Speakers: Rob Dowie & Alex Effinger
This presentation reveals the bigger picture of public pool operations. Pool sustainability is defined with a comprehensive examination of resource inputs: energy, water, and chemical and the outputs as they relate to operational variables. The presentation is driven from practical experience optimizing water and air quality and conserving energy.
Speaker: Brent Miller
Municipal codes are evolving to accommodate the higher risk of public health and safety associated with dry-deck water features. Sanitation is difficult where high bather loads overload relatively small surge basins but this program will identify potential solutions.
Speakers: Terry Brannon, P.E. & Ken Gregory
The ANSI/PHTA/ICC-2 Standard for Public Pool and Spa Operations and Maintenance completed an extensive update. During this session, we’ll review the changes made within the standard, how the standard can be utilized in your facility and discuss questions with writing committee lead, Dennis Berkshire.
Speaker: Dennis Berkshire
During this session, we’ll examine the history and dangers of Legionella, highlight historical and recent outbreaks and how they could have been prevented. We’ll discuss new on site testing methods that are inexpensive, accurate and provide results in 25 to 30 minutes. These testing practices will provide better detection and outbreak prevention.
Speaker: Grant Newhouse
Those that run aquatics facilities and manage the lifeguard team often face a vexing question - "How do I compete with businesses in my community that will pay starting salaries that are often several dollars more per hour than what I can offer? This presentation will explore why the target market for recruiting and keeping happy lifeguards is not the same pool as those just looking for the highest pay. We’ll examine that our team of guards and support personnel are very well aware that their peers are usually making more money per hour than they do yet they are happy to be at your facility.
Speaker: Cliff Pryor
Infectious RWIs and chemical incidents continue to occur at aquatic venues, even though a majority are entirely preventable. To date, industry materials and resources provide operators, supervisors, and facility managers with regulations, statistics, and water quality and pool safety basics and fundamentals. However, despite educational efforts and the wide availability of training and safety materials, the continued high incident rates of illnesses and injuries indicate a continuing gap in education and resources. Based on data and information from laboratory studies, real world pools, other literature, and recreational water treatment codes, guidance documents and manuals, this presentation will review a number of incidents and examples to be presented as case studies. This deeper dive will demonstrate how root cause analysis can be employed to identify the fundamental conditions that lead, or contribute, to a particular incident or scenario, as well as address some common misconceptions that impact disinfection. From these case studies, management practices and corrective actions will be presented so operators and their supervisors can have a deeper understanding of how to better minimize safety hazards and risk of disease transmission to bathers and implement improved management practices at their own aquatic facilities.
Speakers: Jenn Huang & Roy Vore
The build-up of organic contamination in swimming pools and spas has significant effects on water quality, air quality, chemical usage and bioload, all of which makes maintaining a healthy and safe water environment very challenging. As organic contaminants are introduced into the pool water by swimmers and other sources, the organic load continually accumulates on the filter media and other surfaces. This accumulation of surface-bound organic contamination results in increased backwash frequency, reduced water quality, increased chemical usage and increased disinfection byproduct (DBP) production. This presentation will describe the nature of surface-bound organic contamination, DBP and the unique biology of Legionella pneumophilia. I will also describe how the organic load contributes to the production of DBP and can also act as a repository for Legionella and other microorganisms. This presentation will also discuss routine methods to mitigate build-up of surface-bound organic contamination and maintain a healthier pool environment.
Speaker: Vance Fiegel
The International Swimming Pool & Spa Code® (ISPSC®) establishes minimum requirements for plumbing systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. As the ISPSC has been adopted by many municipalities and local communities, having a general understanding is imperative. This session will discuss updates on the commercial provisions of ISPSC Hydraulic section for commercial, dealing with DOE, and VSP – understand the system is safe. ANSI 7 – 2018 versions; standards that apply for commercial, tolerances, looking at plans.
Speaker: Ken Gregory
Fatal and non-fatal drownings are a serious concern for aquatic venues. This presentation explores how the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) can be used by aquatic venue owner/operators to reduce the risk of drowning by bathers.
Speaker: Dewey Case
This presentation will look at properly sizing the pool plumbing and equipment and setting up the variable speed pump in compliance with ANSI, APSP-15
Speakers: Kevin Poe & Rocco Russo
CDC partnered with public health officials, aquatics sector experts, and researchers to create and update the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). The MAHC aims to prevent illness, injury, disability, and death by addressing the design, construction, operation, and management of public aquatic facilities. The MAHC’s vision is to promote healthy and safe aquatic experiences for everyone in the United States. This session will examine changes requests made in the 4th edition. Key revisions in this edition address topics such as enclosure requirements (e.g., height minimum), cyanuric acid concentrations requiring venue closure, lower minimum pH, secondary treatment (including filtration), and standardizing terms (e.g., rope and float line). We’ll also discuss MAHC updates for consideration for the 5th edition include addressing surf venues and artificial lagoons, further developing CRs that did not pass membership vote (e.g., tall platform safety), and standardizing terms (e.g., use of “pool” versus “aquatic venue”).
Speakers: Samaria Aluko, Michele Hlvasa, Commander Joe Laco & Dewey Case