Pool Service News
Making Splash Pads & Spray Parks Safe

The importance of discussing the safety of splash pads and spray parks couldn’t come at a more important time. After the recent news of a child being killed by a rare brain-eating amoeba he caught a spray park, parents are concerned. Many want to know what is being done to make splash pads and spray parks safe for their kids. While this latest tragedy may be front page news, the concern has been ongoing for a while and seems to elevate with each reported death. Experts say better education is needed on both the proper maintenace of these structures and the guidelines those that use them must follow.
While contracting a fatal disease from an organism like Naegleria fowleri is still pretty uncommon, contracting water borne diseases is not. An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis occurred at Seneca Lake State Park in New York during the summer of 2005. Over 1,700 people may have been sickened, with 425 laboratory-confirmed cases and 1,374 probable cases reported. The water tanks that fed the 11,000 square foot spray pad were found to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. As a result, New York implemented emergency public health regulations to oversee the design and sanitation of similar water features throughout the state and many other satellite states began to institute similar measures.
Prior to that outbreak, in 1999 a diarrheal outbreak impacted 44 percent of visitors (an estimated 4,800 individuals) to a new spray park / water fountain at a coastal park. When health department inspectors performed their investigation of the spray park, they discovered that the water drained from the play area into an underground reservoir for recirculation. The issue was discovered to be the result of insufficient chlorination and a lack of a filtration system. The chlorine tab feeder had been empty for weeks, and the designers had omitted adding a backup sanitizing system.

Health Agencies Slow To Regulate
Because splash pad areas and interactive spray parks are still in their early stages, health agencies have not yet quite figured out clear rules for how water at these facilities ought to be treated. All spray parks and splash pads must be been constructed to ensure that contaminants can be cleansed and filtered out of the water.
Tom Parrish of Parrish Pools in Maryland is a commercial pool builder specializing in the construction of splash pads and spray parks. “We build them to the highest standards with redundant sanitation systems,” said Parrish, “unfortunately some of these older spray parks aren’t equipped with a secondary sanitizing system and those older parks should have their equipment checked often.”
Parrish also indicated that even the best automation systems and sanitizing systems do not negate parents of their own responsibility. “When using a splash pad or spray park, caregivers and children should both follow the safety rules” said Parrish, “it’s absolutely vital to reinforce that their children do as well. It’s incumbent upon adults to make sure that best practices are being followed, this includes all the standard rules like not peeing or defecating in the water, showering before entering the play area, proper disposal of swim diapers and things of that nature.”

Disease Control in Spray Parks & Splash Pads
The prevention of disease is an important problem that is bigger than the U.S. World wide cases of crypto have been increasing. Finland is a country reknowned for it’s healthcare system yet reported 571 cryptosporidiosis cases in 2020, almost 30 times as high as the figure in 2010. It’s a problem that can not only cost lives, but can cost businesses, builders, and operators millions. That same crypto outbreak we mentioned that occured in Seneca Lake prompted a class action lawsuit against the state for millions of dollars after cryptosporidium was discovered in the park’s holding tanks.
What isCryptosporidium?
Crypto is a parasite that produces symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and weight loss. It spreads through feces in the water and takes about a week to be killed by chlorine. As a result, New York now requires the use of wading pools or an ultraviolet disinfection system, health permits for parks that use recycled water, signs warning patrons with diarrhea to stay away from the area, and animal fencing.

Using Chlorine is No Guarantee
The use of chlorine to treat recirculated water does not guarantee that it is bacteria-free. A child can crouch over a nozzle, or a parent can change a diaper and rinse the infant in the spray, infecting the newborn with recreational water illness. The contaminated water enters the sewers, is filtered, and then delivered to holding tanks, where the free chlorine rapidly changes. Chlorine feeders and controls must be tested on a regular basis. RWI can occur if there is no chlorine or if a fecal accident occurs. If the water is recirculated, it must be treated and the functioning equipment must be monitored to ensure safe water conditions.
Using Ultraviolet Systems Against Microorganisms in The Pool
Ultraviolet systems are quite effective against microorganisms like crypto. Manufacturers also advocate adding an ozone system to an existing sanitation system as an upgrade. To avoid RWIs, many spray parks use nonrecirculated potable water that is routed to wastewater treatment or used to irrigate the area.
Every facilitiy should engage a top pool builder in the design and installation of the water treatment system, as well as its operation and maintenance. Backwashing filters and cleaning strainer baskets for filters, pumps, and feature pumps can help to ensure water quality. Ultimately, spray parks need to be properly maintained, sanitized, and supervised in order to ensure they are safe.
Pool Service News
SPS PoolCare Celebrates Five Years, 50,000 Recurring Customers
Nation’s largest pool services company enters the Atlanta market with Good Boy Pool Services acquisition

SPS PoolCare, the largest swimming pool services company in the United States, celebrated its fifth anniversary by completing its acquisition of Good Boy Pool Services and reaching the milestone of 50,000 recurring maintenance customers. The acquisition expands SPS PoolCare’s service area to the Atlanta market and marks more than 220 acquisitions since its founding.
Backed by Storr Group, SPS PoolCare operates across Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, serving more than 50,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers and performing over 2.5 million pool services annually. SPS PoolCare leverages technology to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and elevate the customer experience across every market it serves.
“This anniversary marks five years of building something the pool industry has never seen before, and our Atlanta market expansion with Good Boy Pool Services is proof that we are not slowing down,” said Lance Martin, CEO of SPS PoolCare. “Our exceptional team and technology-forward approach gives us the tools to grow quickly while never losing sight of what matters most: delivering exceptional service to every customer, every time.”
SPS PoolCare’s growth trajectory includes recent landmark acquisitions of Pool Troopers and the majority of the pool service operations of Amenity Pool Services, two of the largest pool service companies in the United States. Those acquisitions significantly expanded SPS PoolCare’s geographic presence across the Sunbelt, added thousands of new customers, and established the foundation for the company’s continued expansion into new markets, including Atlanta.
“Five years ago, we set out with a simple goal: build the most trusted pool services company in the country,” said Fraser Ramseyer, Founder of SPS PoolCare and Founder and CEO of Storr Group. “More than 220 acquisitions later, that mission remains unchanged. Every business that joins SPS strengthens our ability to invest in our people, technology, and local operations while preserving the customer relationships that made those businesses successful.”
SPS PoolCare continues to pursue acquisitions in existing and new markets as it works toward becoming the most comprehensive pool services platform in the nation.
About SPS PoolCare:
As the #1 swimming-pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,500,000 weekly recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,300 staff across five states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. SPS PoolCare is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and being an employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com
About Storr Group:
Storr Group is an operationally focused lower-middle-market private equity firm that backs, builds, and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with strategic M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. Storr Group has offices in West Palm Beach, New York City, and Austin. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com
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.
Pool Service News
Pool360 PoolService Is Evolving To Help Pool Companies Scale Faster and Operate Smarter
Learn how the Pool360 ecosystem is evolving to help today’s tech savy pool professionals scale faster and operate more efficiently.

For years, many pool professionals viewed Pool360 primarily as an online ordering platform.
That perception is changing fast.
Today, the Pool360 ecosystem has evolved into something much larger — a connected digital platform designed to help pool service companies, retailers, and builders manage nearly every aspect of their business. From route optimization and customer communication to water testing, inventory visibility, quoting, and construction management integrations, PoolCorp is positioning Pool360 PoolService as a comprehensive operational backbone for modern pool companies.
According to Wally Glowicki, Senior Director of SaaS for PoolCorp, the mission goes far beyond software for software’s sake.
“The Pool360 ecosystem is really designed to help create efficiency and value inside of our customers,” said Glowicki. “We feel that the pool industry especially has a great opportunity to become more digitally enabled, and ultimately provide growth to the entire industry by leveraging these digital products.”
That digital-first philosophy now sits at the center of PoolCorp’s broader strategy.

More Than Online Ordering
Pool360 may have started as a way for customers to place orders online, but the platform has steadily expanded into a much broader business management ecosystem.
Glowicki explained that PoolCorp’s software development efforts are now focused on creating specialized digital tools that support nearly every stage of a customer’s business lifecycle.
“The Pool360 business solution team really focuses on developing specialized digital solutions that empower our customers with that high-performing software for not just ordering products, but managing their business,” said Glowicki. “Whether that’s service, repair, construction, as well as water testing.”
That includes onboarding, demonstrations, training, ongoing support, and tools designed to improve both revenue and profitability for dealers.
Unlike many standalone software providers, PoolCorp’s advantage comes from its integration with an enormous national distribution network.
“PoolCorp is a distributor, and we strive to utilize our digital ecosystem to really elevate that dealer experience and create a tangible value for them,” Glowicki explained. “The differentiator that PoolCorp brings really comes from that connection that we have with our distribution network.”
That approach is helping Pool360 evolve into a one-stop operational platform that connects purchasing, inventory, service operations, marketing, customer management, and construction workflows into a single ecosystem.

Connecting the Entire Customer Journey
One of the major differentiators behind Pool360 PoolService is that it goes well beyond simple scheduling and invoicing.
Glowicki described the platform as a full business management solution designed around the entire customer journey.
“As we expand our focus in development of Pool360, this really means offering solutions from a customer’s lead management upfront to contract management, servicing and routing, one-time service scheduling, quoting, ordering materials, and all the way to finalizing and invoicing a customer,” he said.
That level of operational integration is becoming increasingly important as pool companies look for ways to improve efficiency while scaling their businesses.
According to Glowicki, route optimization alone is creating substantial gains for service companies.
“We’ve seen an increase of 15% of capacities in users of our platform,” he said. “This reclaimed drive time, as well as time spent on the job, allows the technician to add another four to six stops a week.”
At an average service rate of roughly $150 per pool, those additional stops can translate into approximately $7,000 in annual revenue per technician.
The platform’s routing intelligence also helps companies reduce wasted fuel and unnecessary windshield time.
“When we’ve done digging in on this, we see a 20% decrease in drive time from your typical manual routing or using of other tools,” Glowicki explained. “That savings can really add up, especially in today’s high cost fuel environment.”

Built To Scale With Growing Companies
For smaller pool companies looking to grow from a handful of routes into larger operations, Glowicki believes technology infrastructure is now foundational.
“My opinion is, it’s really the foundation for growth for a company is their technology stack,” he said.
Pool360 PoolService was designed to scale alongside those businesses as they add technicians, routes, and customers.
Features like drag-and-drop route optimization allow managers to quickly rebalance workloads when schedules change unexpectedly.
“If Jim calls in sick for the day, you can see who the best technician is available to take over those routes,” Glowicki explained. “Drag and drop in the software, and then click a reoptimize button, and it’ll make sure that route is efficient as possible.”
Beyond operations, the software also gives smaller companies tools that help them project a more polished and professional image to customers.
“The marketing and business image component of the platform allows the smaller companies the ability to look and act just like the bigger companies,” said Glowicki. “With professional templates and estimates, emails, and simple SMS messaging notifying the customer that they’re on the way or that their service has been completed.”
That elevated customer communication experience is often what helps smaller companies generate referrals and build long-term loyalty.

Why Water Testing Matters
Another major component of the Pool360 ecosystem is water testing.
While many retailers still view water testing as a simple in-store service, PoolCorp sees it as a critical customer engagement tool.
“The activity of simply testing the water chemistry is a critical component to the enjoyment of a person’s pool,” Glowicki said. “Making sure that water is balanced not only provides for a great pool experience visually or physically on a warm day, but it also is critical to the pool’s equipment longevity.”
One of the key goals behind Pool360’s water testing platform was flexibility.
The software supports multiple testing systems, including Taylor Express Flex, LaMotte WaterLink SpinTouch, and liquid titration methods.
“We want to meet the customer where they are,” Glowicki explained. “Our platform provides exactly what they need regardless of how they decide to perform their water test.”
But the bigger opportunity lies in the customer data generated during those interactions.
“In today’s digital-first environment, data is gold,” Glowicki said. “We track the test history so we can see what chemicals have been added to that pool over time.”
That data allows retailers to create highly targeted follow-up communication and marketing campaigns.
“A simple email to Miss Jones that last time you had algae present in your water, it’s been two weeks, you really should have your water checked again — that builds that future trust,” he explained.
Glowicki also sees water testing as a major competitive advantage for brick-and-mortar retailers facing pressure from online sellers.
“It definitely is a key differentiator,” he said. “It allows to build that trust that we talked about.”

Expanding Into Construction
PoolCorp is also expanding deeper into construction workflows through integrations with other industry software platforms.
One of the biggest recent announcements involved Pool360’s integration with JobTread, a popular construction management platform.
According to Glowicki, the partnership aligned naturally with PoolCorp’s broader vision.
“JobTread was really perfect alignment to our strategy,” he said. “We both squarely put the customer at the center with our platforms.”
The integration allows builders to browse live PoolCorp catalog items, pull current pricing directly into estimates, and place orders without leaving JobTread.
That may sound simple on the surface, but it addresses one of the biggest hidden pain points in pool construction: outdated pricing and repetitive manual entry.
“Builders using live price syncing are 20% less likely to underquote a project by seeing the market costs in real time,” Glowicki explained.
He added that a typical pool build may involve between 50 and 100 line items, with manual entry often taking up to an hour per project.
“With this integration, it takes under three minutes,” he said. “95% reduction in data entry time.”
For builders juggling multiple projects simultaneously, those kinds of efficiencies can quickly add up.

The Bigger Picture
As Pool360 continues to expand, Glowicki says PoolCorp remains focused on building an ecosystem that creates mutual value across the entire industry.
“We’re consistently looking at ways to create value in our platforms,” he said. “Whether that be new features, enhancements or integrations with other software technologies.”
That includes evaluating future partnerships, internal development opportunities, and additional integrations that further connect the fragmented operational systems many pool companies still rely on today.
“Our passion is to enable a digital experience that empowers efficiency, business transparency, and supports growth,” Glowicki said. “That is the ecosystem that provides a mutual benefit to everybody in the pool industry.”
For PoolCorp, the goal is no longer simply helping customers order products online.
The larger ambition appears to be building the digital operating system that powers the future of the pool industry.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Wally Glowicki on the Pool Magazine podcast.
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