Press Releases
Dr. R. Neil Lowry $5,000 Grant Awarded – PHTA
(ALEXANDRIA, VA)—The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has awarded the 2021 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant to the City of North Richland Hills in Texas. The winner was announced during the National Environmental Health Association’s (NEHA) 2021 Virtual Annual Education Conference (AEC) awards ceremony.
Given in the memory of Dr. Robert Neil Lowry, a long-time member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC), this $5,000 grant honors a public health official or department who has made outstanding contributions to advance the public’s health and safe use of recreational water in pools, spas, and waterparks through educational, safety, operational, and technical programs.

The award was accepted virtually by Meagan Fendley, Neighborhood Services, City of North Richland Hills. Jody O’Grady, Director of Product Management and Customer Programs, Taylor Technologies, Inc., and Chair of the PHTA RWQC, presented the award via video.
The City of North Richland Hills created the NRH Water Safety 365 drowning prevention program after two North Richland Hills residents, 15-year-old Connor Gage and 4-year-old Paxton Wages, fatally drowned. Seven City departments and numerous community partners worked together to develop resources that reach a variety of audiences, including a color-and-learn storybook about water safety for children, a handbook for residential pool and spa owners, water safety curriculum for childcare providers and teachers, and an annual preseason safety class for public aquatic facility operators.
With the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant, the City of North Richland Hills will create a mobile and interactive display about the layers of protection that would be used at community events, school outreach events, and local aquatic facilities. The City will also purchase additional educational materials to distribute throughout the community.

“The City of North Richland Hills really stood out among this year’s nominees,” says Terry Snow, Owner of TLS Pool Service in Upland, CA, and PHTA RWQC Awards Subcommittee Chair. “The fact that they already have a water safety outreach program in place and are already working with community partners to raise awareness of drowning prevention makes us confident that they will continue to do great work with the grant funds. We congratulate the City of North Richland Hills on what they have accomplished and are proud to help them reach an even wider community through the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant.”
Past winners of the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant include: Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, 2019; Arizona Department of Health Services, 2018; Quechan Parks & Recreation, 2017; Riverside County California Department of Health, 2016; Columbus Public Health, 2015; Middlesex-London Health Unit of London, Ontario, 2014; Brevard County Environmental Health Services Department, 2013; Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, 2012; Alexandria Health Department, 2011; City of Houston, 2010; and City of Plano, 2009.
For more information about the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant, visit https://www.phta.org/membership/promote-your-business/phta-awards-of-excellence/dr-r-neil-lowry-grant/.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 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.
About PHTA’s Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC)
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s RWQC develops and maintains verifiable science-based information regarding sanitization technology and chemical products, for use in pools, spas and hot tubs. The committee also writes the chemical and sanitation sections for American National Standards Institute (ANSI) PHTA standards, including the ANSI/PHTA-11 Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. For a current listing of Committee members or more information, email Genevieve Lynn in the PHTA Standards Department at [email protected].
Pool Service News
Poolwerx Eyes San Antonio for Continued Texas Expansion
Global Pool Service Brand Grows Presence in Texas Amid Continued Population Growth and Franchise Momentum
Poolwerx, the largest global franchise pool service brand, is targeting San Antonio, Texas for franchise growth as the brand continues expanding in high-growth markets across the U.S.
The move comes as Texas continues to stand out as a leading market for franchise development. According to the International Franchise Association’s 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook, Texas ranks as the top state for franchise growth and is home to more than 86,000 franchise locations employing more than 910,000 people.
“With Poolwerx USA headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas has always been an important market for our brand, and the growing demand makes San Antonio the perfect place to continue our U.S. expansion,” said Darlene Viering, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Poolwerx. “It combines strong regional growth with the characteristics that make for a compelling pool service market, and we see real opportunity to partner with entrepreneurs who want to build a scalable local business with the support of an established brand.”
San Antonio offers an attractive combination of steady population growth and long-term residential development. U.S. Census reporting shows the city added nearly 24,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, highlighting its momentum as one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities.
For Poolwerx, San Antonio aligns with the brand’s broader focus on markets where residential growth, pool maintenance needs and strong consumer demand support long-term opportunity for professional pool care. The company has previously identified Texas as a key expansion priority in its U.S. growth strategy.
“As more entrepreneurs look for business opportunities backed by recurring revenue and strong consumer demand, we believe San Antonio offers a compelling environment for franchise development,” said Marla Mock, COO of Poolwerx USA. “Our model is designed to give franchise owners the training, operational support and brand foundation they need to build a business that can scale with their market.”
Poolwerx continues to expand its national footprint while helping homeowners maintain healthier pools through dependable, professional pool care backed by a globally recognized brand. Poolwerx is actively seeking franchise candidates across the U.S. who are entrepreneurial, community-minded, and growth-focused.
About Poolwerx
Poolwerx is the world’s largest pool and spa maintenance franchise brand, dedicated to helping people create poolside memories. Established in Australia in 1992, Poolwerx has grown to more than 186 retail stores, over 720 service vehicles, and 450+ exclusive territories worldwide. The brand delivers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to keep pools and spas healthy and safe, including professional water testing and balancing, pool cleaning, scheduled and ad hoc maintenance, chemical and equipment sales, system upgrades, installations, repairs, and expert advice. Serving both residential and commercial clients, Poolwerx combines local expertise with industry-leading systems, marketing strength, and operational support. Discover more about the franchise opportunity at: https://poolwerxfranchising.com.
Press Releases
Pixel by WOW Design: A Surface Fragmented by Light
Pixel by Wow Design is a new porcelain format that reinterprets the language of mosaic through a precisely engraved grid, combining material continuity with visual richness.
Available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, Pixel demonstrates how a single geometry can transform the expression of different material concepts.
Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors, Pixel transforms the interaction between water, light, and ceramics into surfaces of remarkable visual depth.

Pixel is born from the interaction between water, light, and ceramics. Designed for swimming pools, spas, and wellness interiors. The new format by WOW Design transforms reflections, texture, and colour into an experience defined by serenity and wellbeing.
Pixel introduces a new interpretation of the ceramic surface through a precisely engraved grid that transforms the perception of the material. Available across a selection of WOW Design collections, the new format combines the continuity of a 15×15 cm porcelain tile with the visual language of mosaic.
Although each tile is presented as a continuous surface, the engraved geometry creates small tesserae of approximately 3.5 x 3.5 cm, generating a new interaction between texture, light and colour.

The continuity of a tile. The visual richness of a mosaic.
Pixel’s precisely engraved grid brings a new dimension to the ceramic surface. In aquatic environments, the reflections and movement of water intensify this effect, enriching chromatic nuances and creating a richer perception of the material.
Designed for swimming pools, spas, wellness interiors, and other wet areas, Pixel responds to a growing demand for surfaces capable of bringing texture and visual richness to spaces shaped by water.

One format, multiple expressions.
Pixel is available in the Sukabumi, Marble, Sabil, and Vestige collections, preserving the identity of each while transforming its visual expression.
Inspired by the natural stone traditionally used in aquatic environments, Sukabumi finds a new chromatic intensity through Pixel, amplifying the vibrancy of its green tones and the movement of its reflections beneath the water. Marble translates the timeless elegance of marble into a more dynamic scale, where veins and mineral nuances acquire a renewed reading through the engraved grid.
In Sabil, the richness of the glazes and tonal variations takes centre stage, creating surfaces full of movement and nuance. Meanwhile, Vestige finds in Pixel a way to reinforce the expressive character of its textures inspired by the passage of time, enhancing both visual depth and the tactile quality of the material.
News
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Requests Reaffirmation of Water Conservation Efficiency Standard
(Alexandria, VA.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is requesting reaffirmation of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-13 2017 American National Standard for Water Conservation Efficiency in Residential and Public Pools, Spas, Portable Spas, and Swim Spas.
As part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus development process, PHTA is conducting a public review of the existing stand and inviting interested parties to submit comments for consideration.
Following review by PHTA technical committees, the 2017 standard has been recommended for reaffirmation while a parallel revision process is underway to evaluate and address emerging issues related to drought and water conservation practices.
In accordance with ANSI procedures, the current ANSI/APSP/ICC-13 2017 standard is available for a 45-day public review period, as announced in ANSI Standards Action. The deadline to submit comments is July 28, 2026.
The public review document and additional information are available on the PHTA-13 webpage at phta.org.
For more information, please visit phta.org, email [email protected], or call (703) 838-0083.
About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000+ members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding 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.
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