Automated Pool Testing Systems

Started by NickB7 • 7 replies • 366 views

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NickB7 (Oregon)
Posts: 12

Posted:

We're a condo complex with 200+ units and we have an outdoor pool and an indoor hot tub. We're taking a closer look at water testing, and though our pool traffic is not what I would consider "high volume" (we're not the YMCA; I'm guessing we have a total of about three dozen visitors to our pool during the hottest days of summer), it looks like we're still held to all of the testing requirements of a full-size commercial pool. The hot tub probably gets 6-8 people per day. That means we need to test:

HOURLY
Chlorine/Bromine

DAILY
pH
Turbidity

WEEKLY
Alkalinity
Copper
Silver
Calcium hardness

And there is a whole separate schedule for the hot tub as well, with different intervals. We do have a pool company that comes to check our levels and dial everything in on a weekly basis. But it is not satisfying the testing criteria we are seeing.

How have other HOAs been able to deal with this highly-specific testing schedule? Is there an automatic monitoring system that has been working for you?

MaxB4
Posts: 3,513

Posted:

I am putting all new pool equipment at my house and something we added is a IntelliChem Pool Chemistry Controller. I see after the summer if it really was worth the price.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

The more important thing to put into play here is NOT the testing. It is "What do you do when the chemicals levels raise/fall"? Is there a policy that says you close the pool at this point? Is there a policy you have the pool company add more chemicals when it low? Do you have a "time" before and after chemicals are put in that people can not get into the pool?

It is not only testing but the use of the pool. I would make it known that if your monitoring system shows "X" then the pool shuts down for this time period. That may be how long the chemicals (shocking) react or if you hire a pool company to maintain.

One 4th of July our pool pump broke. Shredded several bolts. I had to scour the town to find the new screws. Luckily was able to open the pool that day. However, many people were very upset to see the "pool" closed sign posted.

Former HOA President

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

NickB7, if your association does not follow the law on testing, it is taking a risk of being found liable for xyz. An insurer might even refuse coverage, per the terms of the policy.

What I have seen is the HOA/COA gets a staff member certified to do the testing, and then testing is done as the law requires, for a lot less than what a pool company would charge.

Best solution:
Get an owners' vote to fill in the pool.

NickB7 (Oregon)
Posts: 12

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 03/11/2022 4:30 AM
The more important thing to put into play here is NOT the testing. It is "What do you do when the chemicals levels raise/fall"? Is there a policy that says you close the pool at this point? Is there a policy you have the pool company add more chemicals when it low? Do you have a "time" before and after chemicals are put in that people can not get into the pool?

It is not only testing but the use of the pool. I would make it known that if your monitoring system shows "X" then the pool shuts down for this time period. That may be how long the chemicals (shocking) react or if you hire a pool company to maintain.

A very good point. This complicates an already complicated issue. I am amazed that the pool companies seemingly do not have a solution for this. I will bring it up the rest of the board.

NickB7 (Oregon)
Posts: 12

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 03/11/2022 7:43 AM
What I have seen is the HOA/COA gets a staff member certified to do the testing, and then testing is done as the law requires, for a lot less than what a pool company would charge.

We only have one manager on staff. To have her drop everything on an hourly basis to test the pool would mean that a lot of other important things would fall through the cracks. Maybe this furthers the case to hire an assistant for her, though we have not budgeted for a second salary. And then there are the weekends, when neither of them would be around.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

I looked at Oregon law and agree your condo association pool is subject to Oregon statute requirements for a public swimming pool. For the interested reader, see

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_333-060-0200

I think you want to go to a swimming pool forum and ask your question about continuous monitoring devices. Per the Oregon law, and as you seem to know, they apparently do exist. I see a lot of such forums on the net.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

I was under the impression that these systems are very cost prohibitive. Our local health department tried to mandate these systems mainly targeting casino resorts and apartment complexes.
The unfortunate side was the wording would have included HOA's & COA's. The cost of the systems and installations from what our PM said was $20,000.00 each, one for the pool and one for the hot tub.
There was considerable blowback from the HOA, COA lobbyist as well as the lobbyist from the rental community. Fortunately the health district scrapped those plans.

Unless you are mandated by State, Local or health district ordnances, I would not install them and continue to let your pool service monitor the pool and hot tub. Increase the frequency of their
service if necessary.

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