(Alexandria, Va.) – The Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) certification program is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2023. In the last five decades, more than 500,000 pool, spa, and hot tub industry professionals have earned this certification, awarded exclusively by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

CPO is the world’s leading education and certification program for keeping pools safer and keeping them open. It provides individuals with the knowledge, techniques, and skills required for proper pool operations. CPO certification satisfies state and local jurisdiction requirements for pool operator professionals.

The formal introduction of the CPO certification was a benchmark in the realization that those who operated and managed swimming pools needed some type of formal training to safeguard their patrons. In 1973 the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) took the first steps to develop a program, that could be taught by well qualified aquatic specialists, by introducing a text that covered the basic knowledge an operator might need.

PHTA would like to give a special thank you and tribute to the late Leif Zars, who provided the space and additional resources to NSPF (known as NSPI at the time) when the CPO program was first introduced in San Antonio, TX, in 1973. Zars was the chair of the national association’s drain cover standard writing committee when it drafted the first standard cited in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) that was done with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP).

By 1978, Zars established the first Instructor School Institute that was held in Dallas, TX, a move that would allow the CPO course to be offered nationally. Three of the 50 certified candidates (Bruce Carney, Fontaine C. Piper, and Phillip Reynolds) became members of the original Instructor Education Committee, and Piper and Reynolds are still part of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee to this day.

When NSPF and APSP merged into PHTA in 2019, CPO remained the most popular professional certification in the industry. To meet this high demand and ensure all CPO students receive the highest quality of instruction, PHTA offers the CPO Instructor Assessment School twice a year. Currently, there are more than 700 CPO instructors around the world who provide training in 122 different countries.

Over the years, the CPO certification course materials have been updated and expanded to keep pace with changes in technology and in knowledge. The most significant changes occurred in 2005 and again just recently in 2021 with the introduction of a significantly updated operator’s manual.

“The CPO program continues to be the gold standard by which state health departments develop and define their individual standards,” says Fontaine C. Piper, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus of Truman State University and Chair of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee. “Without the original CPO certification program, the operational quality of aquatic facilities would not be as exceptional as it is today.”

“Congratulations to PHTA on the 50^th anniversary of the CPO program!” says Zach Skinner, Chair of the CPO Advisory Council. “I took my first CPO certification course in 2000 and I continue to be amazed at the opportunities for lifelong learning within this community 23 years later. Serving as the Chair of the CPO Advisory Council has made it even more evident how CPO certification provides structure and framework to assist swimming pool operators and improves safety for guests. I look forward to continued program growth and expansion in years to come.”

“I have that honor of being able to help new CPOs in their journey to service their customers and to help new instructors formulate their own unique style to teach the CPO course,” says Wayne Ivusich, Vice Chair of the CPO Advisory Council and member of the PHTA Instructor Assessment Committee. “After 31 years in the industry, I’ve seen and experienced an incredible wave of needed education and am happy to be a small part of that wave. Congratulations on the 50^th anniversary of the CPO program, and here’s to 50 more!”

The 50^th anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year, culminating in the 50^th Anniversary Luncheon Celebration at the 2023 World Aquatic Health Conference, November 13-15 in Las Vegas, NV.

For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

BioLab, the maker of BioGuard water treatment products is pleased to announce that it has hired Amy Rullo as the District Sales Manager for New York, as well as parts of Northern New Jersey & Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Amy brings almost 20 years of Pool Service, Retail, Construction, Renovation and Office Management experience to the team.  Her family has spent over 80 years in the Pool Industry from owning swim clubs to service companies and retail locations.  A few of her most recent accomplishments are being the Immediate Past President of the Penn Jersey Pool and Spa Association as well the Past President of the Northeast Spa & Pools Association (NESPA).  She is also the current Co-Chair of the Education Committee for NESPA and a part of the original founding group of Women In The Industry (WITI) for the Penn Jersey Chapter.  Amy is passionate about education and loves to volunteer, mentor and support pool professionals as they maneuver their way through the industry. Amy can be reached at [email protected] or by calling (610) 791-8955

BioGuard’s hiring of Rullo coincides with the company’s year-long celebration of the brand’s 60^th anniversary.  BioGuard is known for creating a three-step system of chemicals to keep water clean and clear. It also pioneered computerized water testing for pools and spas.  Established in 1963, the BioGuard product line has expanded to include a full chemical line for spas (SpaGuard®) with a large independent dealer base in the US, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Ted Lawrence, Vice President of Sales, noted, “I am excited to be leading our sales team through such a milestone year, as we honor the BioGuard brand’s storied history and take it to the next level.”

About BioGuard/ BioLab/ KIK Consumer Products

Based in Lawrenceville, GA., BioLab, Inc, the Pool Division of KIK Consumer Products Company, has been supplying water treatment products for recreational applications on a global basis for over 60 years including their signature lines of BioGuard & SpaGuard pool and spa chemicals.  Additional information about BioGuard can be found at www.bioguard.com.

Water TechniX, a leading manufacturer of pool cleaning solutions based out of Australia recently announced the launch of its latest product, the SoniX SX11 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner. The cleaner is a state-of-the-art wireless robotic pool cleaner that offers a convenient and efficient way to keep your pool sparkling clean without any manual intervention.

The SoniX SX11 features a sleek and modern design and is extremely easy to use. With its advanced filtration system and powerful suction, this cleaner can pick up small, medium and large debris from the floor and walls of your pool. It also has the ability to scrub the waterline, ensuring a completely clean pool. The cleaner is suitable for use in pools up to 360 sq meters, making it ideal for homeowners with larger swimming pools.

The wireless operation of the SoniX SX11 eliminates the need for cords or hoses, and it comes with a range of intelligent cleaning modes, including a complete coverage function to get all debris and a power-saving eco mode targeting floors only for extended use. The cleaner also features intelligent path-cleaning programming, using complex algorithms to efficiently cover every inch of your pool in a thorough manner.

The SoniX SX11 is energy efficient and eco-friendly, with its low voltage motor consuming less electricity. With a large capacity filter canister, you won’t have to empty it as often, saving you time and effort. The cleaner is equipped with two heavy-duty PVA brushes and active traction tires that allow it to easily navigate your pool. With three power plant motors, this cleaner delivers consistent performance time and time again. It can be fully charged in just 3.5 hours and has a run cycle of 3.5 hours, allowing it to cover even large pools completely.

“Water TechniX is committed to providing pool owners with innovative and reliable pool cleaning solutions, and the SoniX SX11 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner is the latest addition to our product line. We designed this cleaner to be energy efficient and eco-friendly, while delivering consistent performance every time. With its advanced technology and efficient design, the SoniX SX11 is an excellent choice for pool owners who want to keep their pools in top condition with minimal effort,” said a Water TechniX spokesperson.

The SoniX SX11 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner is available now, and Water TechniX is offering a huge 2-year warranty on the product, ensuring complete peace of mind for customers. With the SoniX SX11, homeowners can enjoy a clean and sparkling pool without the hassle of manual cleaning. The SoniX Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner will be shipping Australia-wide at the end of March and pre-orders are already accepted.

Featured Photo Credit: Mr Pool Man