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July 6, 2015

CPSA Announces New Water

Savings Study

The California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA) is pleased to announce a landmark study that will provide much-needed data on how to mitigate evaporation water loss in swimming pools. Sponsored by a wide range of industry associations including the CPSA, the National Plasterers Council, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, and the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association, the study will focus on measuring the water savings that can be achieved by different types of pool covers available to consumers. It will be conducted at the Cal Poly National Pool Industry Research Center (NPIRC) on the California Polytechnic State University campus in San Luis Obispo throughout the months of July and August.

While it has been conclusively proven that pools use less water than the lawns they typically replace, there are as of yet no exact figures on how much water is saved with the installation of various types of pool covers. Estimates range from 50-90% in savings, an issue that is complicated even further when all of the variations in cover design and style are considered. This study aims to end that uncertainty by examining a pool’s water usage with many different types of covers, accurately measuring and tracking the differences in each. This will include measuring the water levels of eight different pools at the NPIRC for a full sixty days, taking into account such factors as climate conditions, wind, and rainfall during the study.

Swimming pool owners seem to understand that pool covers are one of the best methods to save water. However, consumers have not been provided accurate information on the performance of the various systems. In addition to the traditional air bubble covers, there are different kinds of permanent covers, solar rings and solar squares, and now a range of liquid pool covers that provide systematic water savings while maintaining the landscape features of the pool. This study seeks to more clearly inform the pool and spa industry on the exact numbers of evaporation and water loss, as well as empower pool owners to make the best choice to protect and maintain their investment.

In this time of drought and water scarcity, it is more important than ever to fully understand the entirety of a pool’s water usage, and actively look for new and innovative ways to lower a pool’s already minimal water footprint. In our meetings with water districts and cities throughout California, CPSA has repeatedly recommended the use of pool covers as a means for pool owners to reduce their water usage while still being allowed to fill and maintain their pools. However some cities have expressed the desire for more concrete information and data on this particular subject. With this study in hand, we will have all the information we need to show cities and water districts that pools are a responsible part of any water savings plan.

This study is a crucial part of CPSA’s Let’s Pool Together campaign. It will help demonstrate to water management professionals throughout the state that pools and spas can contribute to the water saving effort, and we are grateful to all those who have come together to make it a reality. Stay tuned for more information.

To learn more, contact Brittany with the CPSA.

June 23, 2015

Success Stories and Moving

Forward

In recent months the California Pool and Spa Association and its dedicated members have been putting in a great deal of hard work throughout the state on behalf of the pool and spa industry, and it has been paying off. We have had our hands full monitoring the agendas of city councils all over the state, responding with letters and alerts to our members as soon as we receive word that a city is considering a measure that will do harm to the pool and spa industry in their area. By getting the word out we are enabling our members to take action in their communities, and to speak out on an issue that will directly impact their businesses and their livelihoods.

This type of direct, grassroots advocacy is proving to be extremely effective. We have found that when our members attend city council meetings where harmful measures are on the agenda and speak in opposition to them, we are successful. Recent victories include the cities of Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Culver City, all of which were considering bans on both filling and refilling of swimming pools but have since changed their minds. Through a combination of opposition from the CSPA in the form of letters and materials sent to the city councils, as well as the participation of our members in the area, we have made our voices heard.

However, despite these encouraging success stories, we cannot afford to become complacent. Just because a city has decided to remove a pool or spa targeting measure from their agenda for the time being doesn’t mean that it won’t be taken up in the future as the summer drags on, and there are many more cities in the state that may resort to such measures. For example, after receiving our materials and hearing our members speak at their meeting the city of Simi Valley agreed to remove the prohibition from their immediate agendas, but they are also looking further into the matter and may return to it soon. We will continue to monitor the situation, but this simply illustrates the need for the CPSA’s constant attention and diligence to protect the industry during this time of unprecedented drought.

One of the lessons that we have learned in this effort is that we cannot do it alone. The help and support of our members has been critical to our success, and that support must not wane during the hot and dry months of the summer. We have currently raised $60,000 of our $100,000 goal for the Drought Crisis Fund this year, and while this is an impressive number and has us on track for the year there is still a long way to go before the goal is met. The work required to monitor and respond to cities and water districts all over California is both labor and cost intensive, and if we are to keep up the same level of dedication and response we must not give up on our fundraising efforts now.

We have sent out appeal letters to our previous donors from last year, but time and again we have seen that personal appeals from other pool and spa professionals are far more effective that a simple letter. If you have already made a contribution to the Drought Crisis Fund, please take a moment to forward this Alert to someone who has not. Their support, and yours, is what enables the CPSA to continue working on behalf of the pool and spa industry. We must all continue to work together if we are to continue our recovery from the recession and make it through this drought.

CPSA, the California Pool and Spa Association, serves as the statewide public policy representative for the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. We advocate on behalf of industry interests before the California Legislature and state and local regulatory agencies, and for individual members dealing with enforcement issues. Working daily on the industry’s behalf, we have an unmatched track record in successfully negotiating and fighting against unreasonable and costly legislation and for enforcement of unlicensed contractor laws. CPSA promotes the highest standards of professional conduct in pool construction, service, and repair, and seeks to educate the public on the proper maintenance and safe use of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. For nearly 40 years, CPSA has been the only organization registered to lobby at the State Capitol on behalf of the pool, spa, and hot tub industry. CPSA is funded by membership dues and donations. For more information on CPSA and legislation we are watching, call 916-447-4113.