Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies
How Source Water Affects Pool and Spa Maintenance
Source water is a vital aspect for pool owners in filling and refilling a pool. Source water for a pool and spa should maintain high standards to ensure safety for all users. Water in pools and spas can be obtained from various sources; however, the two primary ones are municipal water and well water. Source water comprises several microorganisms and pollutants, thus influencing the quantity and type of chemical for disinfection and sanitizing. Therefore, pool owners need to choose the best source water and appropriate treatment process required to guarantee high water standards. In this current article, we seek to address various water contaminants and their impact on pool and spa water.
Nitrates
In the United States, the EPA established directives to control the number of nitrates in drinking water; nitrate must not exceed 10ppm per liter in drinking water. Nitrate and nitrates are the primary contaminants of groundwater, especially in rural areas where there are frequent farming activities. Fertilizers, septic systems, and manure storage are the primary reasons for the existence of nitrates in groundwater. In pools and spas, high concentrations of nitrates lead to algae problems, which increase chlorine’s demand.
Well water
In the United States, over 12 million families get drinking water from private wells. Although there are no set criteria for controlling private wells, the EPA provides information on the benefits of purifying water in private wells. Well water is often used in isolated areas where municipal water is inaccessible. The quality of well water is profoundly affected by its geographical location. However, it mainly contains contaminants such as iron, tannins, and iron bacteria, which cause pool discoloration and increased demand for sanitizers.
TDS because of high mineral levels
The total of all dissolved solid matter (TDS) refers to all impurities, microbes, and pollutants found in water. TDS levels vary depending on the geographical area; some areas have source water containing a high concentration of calcium and magnesium. Experts discourage the consumption of water with more than 1000ppm of hardness concentration. In such a case, looking for sources of water that are less contaminated is advisable.
Metals
Source water acquires contamination agents either from its source or place of treatment. A good example is calcium, which is intentionally put in water to improve hardness. At times, water comes in contact with metals from corrosion of metal pipes. Certain bacteria known as iron bacteria are found in well water and lead to discoloration of water and pool surfaces. The existence of metals in pools and spas also consumes vast portions of sanitizers and disinfectants. Some sanitizers combine with heavy metal like iron and copper to create increased demand for sanitizers. Dealing with heavy metal in pools involves frequently using metal-removing products.
Phosphates
The EPA recommends protecting pipes against corrosion using phosphates. Consequently, this substance is common in municipal water. Even though phosphate prevents corrosion, it indirectly leads to increased demand for chlorine; phosphates serve as nutrients for algae; algae, in turn, significantly reproduce, causing excessive use of chlorine. Luckily, phosphate can be destroyed using phosphate removers containing lanthanum salt. Unlike Biguanide-based sanitizers that react negatively with phosphates, Lanthanum salt condenses phosphate, which is later filtered out.
Municipal water
One source of pool and spa water is municipal water, which is purified in treatment plants and considered safe for human consumption. When water from rivers and lakes is decontaminated and refined, it is channeled through a pipe to reach its consumers. Old pipes used for water transportation possibly lead to water contamination due to the existence of impurities such as copper, hence affecting the water’s standard. Nonetheless, municipal water barely contains high percentages of contaminants due to specific requirements and guidelines imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Even so, municipal water faces a high risk of pollution caused by heavy metals, nitrates, and phosphates found in pools.
Chloramines
Municipal water is usually chloraminated by facilitating the reaction of chlorine and ammonia in water, which results in a substance called chloramine, which is combined chlorine. During the reaction process, monochloramine is produced; monochloramine and chlorine are used in water treatment facilities for large-scale and small-scale use. Chloramines, however, can be eliminated through a process known as super chlorination.
Safety measures
As seen in this current article, the standard of pool and spa water is significantly affected by source water, which often serves as a habitat for minerals and heavy metal. Consequently, it is crucial to perform frequent tests on source water and decide on the proper treatment plan to avoid adverse effects caused by pollutants.
Summary of Characteristics
- Well water and municipal water are the primary sources of water.
- Aside from heavy metals, source water comprises various minerals like phosphates and calcium.
- At times, water treatment plants purposefully add minerals in the water.
- Most water treatment plants use chloramination to ensure complete disinfection.
- Both inorganic and organic substances like nitrates may be present in the source water.
Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies
Darlly Filtration Partners With The Grit Game on Private Label Pool Filters
DAVENPORT, Fla., Darlly Filtration, one of the largest filter cartridge manufacturers in the world and a private label supplier to well-known names in pool and spa, has partnered with The Grit Game (TGG) to represent its pool and spa filtration line across seven states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
A filter program with the dealer’s name on it
For most pool stores, the replacement cartridge is the most shoppable item on the shelf. A customer brings in a dirty filter, the counter team identifies it, and the customer finds the same part number online before reaching the parking lot.
Darlly’s private label program is built to close that gap:
- Private label at no upcharge. The dealer’s logo goes on the cartridge label for the same price as a Darlly labeled filter.
- Custom part numbers. Dealers can assign their own part numbers, so the filter on their shelf is not a line-for-line price comparison online.
- No order minimums. No minimums on orders or on private label, so a dealer can start with their two or three highest-volume SKUs.
- Same ship timeline. Product is labeled when the order is picked, so private label ships as fast as stocked product.
“Every pool store we walk into has the same story. Their team does the work of identifying a filter, and the sale walks out the door to an online seller. Darlly gives dealers a real answer to that: their own name and their own part number on a cartridge built to the original spec, with no upcharge and no minimums. That is the kind of line we want to put in front of pool professionals, because it helps them run a better business,” Laci Davis, Co-Founder and CEO, The Grit Game.
Built to the spec of the original cartridge
Every Darlly pleated cartridge is built to the specification of the original equipment cartridge, with:
- Single-layer tri-lobal spun bonded polyester media that resists chlorine and bromine
- An ABS injection molded center core made with NSF certified material
- Reinforced end caps with screen mesh molded in during production
- Pleat bands for pleat stability
- A screw thread guaranteed for life
What the partnership means across the seven states
TGG’s reps will work with pool professionals market by market, starting with the filters each account moves most.
- Florida. A cartridge-heavy market where price pressure is constant. The focus is private label and custom part numbers that take the price comparison off the table.
- Texas and Louisiana. Larger filters are the norm. Reps will cross-reference the large Hayward, Pentair, Jandy and Waterway cartridge sets that dominate the region.
- Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi. Wide-open ground where D.E. filtration is still common, making universal grid kits a simple, single-line-item add alongside cartridges.
“Darlly Filtration is excited to partner with The Grit Game. The professionalism, integrity and high standards of The Grit Game Team embody what Darlly stands for,” Brad Schneider, Director of U.S. Sales Pool & Spa Division.
Pool builders, service route companies and retail store owners interested in a Darlly private label program can contact their The Grit Game rep here.
About Darlly Filtration
Hangzhou Darlly Filtration has manufactured filter cartridges for more than 25 years and is one of the largest filter cartridge manufacturers in the world, producing more than 35 million filters a year for customers in over 100 countries. Beyond pool and spa, Darlly serves the biopharmaceutical, microelectronics, medical, food and beverage, petrochemical and drinking water industries. Darlly is an OEM and private label supplier to established brands in the pool and spa industry and offers more than 600 replacement cartridge part numbers, universal D.E. grids and filtration systems. US operations run from warehouses in Ontario, California and Loveland, Colorado. Learn more at darllyfilter.com.
About The Grit Game
The Grit Game is an award-winning manufacturer rep firm and marketing agency serving the pool, spa and backyard industry across the United States and Canada. Founded in 2023 by Laci Davis and Johnny Davis, TGG works on an “education before transaction” model, connecting a vetted line of manufacturer partners with the pool professionals who build, service and sell to backyard owners. TGG was named Pool Nation Sales Rep Group of the Year in 2024. Learn more at thegritgame.com.
Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies
King Technology Opens $17M Manufacturing and Distribution Center
ST. PETERS, MO, September 29, 2026 – King Technology, a leading innovator in hot tub, swim spa and pool water care, and sanitization systems, has opened a new centralized manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution center in St. Peters, Missouri. The company is investing at least $17 million in the facility, which is expected to ultimately employ 40 workers in the next three years.
“King Technology’s investment of more than $17 million in a new manufacturing and distribution facility in St. Peters is another testament to Missouri’s strong business climate, skilled workforce, and central location,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “We’re proud to welcome King Technology and look forward to seeing this family-owned company grow, create jobs, and succeed in the Show-Me State for generations to come.”
The 208,000-square-foot facility – located in the Lakeside Logistics Center in St. Peters – will enable King Technology to provide efficient world-class service to hundreds of distributors and dealers across the United States.
“Our new facility in St. Charles County is a milestone for our company’s long-term growth strategy,” said Michael Noer, President and CEO of King Technology. “The region’s commitment to growing businesses and its strong sense of faith, family, and community reflect the same values behind King Technology’s purpose to ‘Enrich Lives Daily.’”
King Technology is best known by thousands of hot tub and swimming pool owners for its FROG family of pre-filled, easy-to-use recreational water care products with patented mineral technology that keeps water crystal clear for in-ground and above-ground pools, swim spas, and hot tubs, while using significantly less chlorine. King Technology also introduced its New Water brand of products this year for mass retail across the U.S.
A third-generation, family-owned company for nearly half a century, King Technology will maintain its headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. “King Technology’s decision to choose St. Peters for their new distribution center reflects our region’s clear strengths and our commitment to bringing new employers and new jobs to our region,” said Ron Kitchens, Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Greater St. Louis, Inc. was proud to support King Technology’s first-ever expansion, and we look forward to watching them grow and thrive in St. Peters.”
King Technology worked alongside Missouri state and local partners to determine and invest in its second location, including Ameren, the City of St. Peters, the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County, Greater St. Louis, Inc., Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Partnership, and Spire.
A ribbon cutting and celebration was held on September 29, 2026, with participation by St. Peters, Missouri Mayor Len Pagano and Missouri Governor Michael Kehoe (pictured).
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“For nearly half a century, this third-generation, family-owned company has built a legacy of innovation, growth, and commitment to its customers,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “We’re proud King Technology has chosen Missouri for this significant investment and look forward to supporting its continued success as it creates new opportunities for Missourians to prosper in the St. Louis region.”
“We’re so excited to be welcoming King Technology to our FasTrac family,” said St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano. “I’m so proud of our FasTrac economic development team, working with our partners at the local and State of Missouri level to help King Technology expand to our region. We look forward to working with King Technology and watching them grow into the future!”
“King Technology’s expansion into St. Peters reflects the continued strength of St. Charles County as a place where manufacturers can grow, invest, and thrive,” said Scott Drachnik, President & CEO of the Economic Development Council (EDC) of St. Charles County. “We are grateful for the trust they have shown in our community and look forward to their continued success.”
“King Technology’s investment in St. Peters reflects what companies continue to find across Missouri: a strategic location, strong infrastructure, and a business climate that supports long-term growth,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “This project strengthens Missouri’s advanced manufacturing footprint, creates new opportunities for Missourians, and reinforces the state’s position as a premier destination for companies serving customers across the nation.”
ABOUT KING TECHNOLOGY
King Technology, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned water care company founded in 1978 by Lloyd King and Joe King. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, the company is a market leader in hot tub and swim spa water care and a leading innovator in pool water care. King Technology is best known for its FROG family of pre-filled, easy-to-use water care products, which use patented mineral technology to keep water clear while requiring significantly less chlorine. The company’s mission is to Enrich Lives Daily. For more information, visit kingtechnology.com.
JED Pool Tools, US manufacturer and distributor of swimming pool and spa maintenance equipment, offers a new Pro 14” Pool Vacuum with a swivel-plastic handle for cleaning both residential and commercial swimming pools. This vac head is heavy weight and designed to make it easy to clean corners and steps. Made to handle the cleaning of any size swimming pool with durable construction. Easily maneuverable vacuum head has 360-degree swivel connector that ends aggravating hose tangling. Adapted for both 1-1/2” and 1-1/4” hose sizes. Proudly made by JED in Pennsylvania, USA.
www.JEDPoolTools.com
570-344-4137
Old Forge, PA
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