Pool Chemical Adjustment Systems?

So we’ve had this proposal re installation of a “Chemical Automation System” for our community pool{1}. It’s been sorta floating around for a few months, our PM and the other Board members think it’s a good idea. I read it the other day. It’s about $26K, plus there needs to be additional construction just to house the equipment (which won’t fit in out current pool pump room). Plus we need a place to store the chemicals, which are $7K for two palettes that weigh over 3,000lbs combined. The chemicals are labeled “HazMat”. I’ve searched for but have not found any figures on the consumption rate of the chemicals.

The system is supposed to auto-regulate the pool chlorine and pH, as well as allow for continuous remote reading and adjustment of those parameters. I asked our pool guy, who has been with us for almost a decade, and he doesn’t really understand why we even want this system. In theory, he could adjust the pool parameters from home - but he’s Old School and isn’t interested.

I’ve attempted to be fair and truthful in my description of the proposal. Right now I’m thinking “no”. But has anyone had any experience with these systems? Are there benefits that I’m not seeing?

Thank you,

Bill

{1} I’m told it is a 104,000 gallon junior Olympic Short Course Yard (SCY) pool, measuring 25 yards by ~40ft with 6 marked lanes, depth ranging from 3ft to 6ft. There is also a 700 gallon wading pool.

The Southern Nevada Health District has floated this idea for quite a while no pun intended.

The Health District wants to mandate across the board all Aquatic facilities to have these automated systems as an
aid to a pool cleaner coming out on a regular basis to service the pool. The spirit of the mandate by the heath district is, was
to target the casino moguls with deep pockets not taking into account how this would affect private pools at apartment complexes,
and HOA's So far the HOA lobby has thwarted any attempts by the district to implement said action.

On paper it seems like a good Idea, cost wise, it is quite a jolt to the bottom line on the budget. If you have the disposable cash
I would say go for it. Will it save you money in the long run by scaling back a few visits per month from your pool vendor jam eagle
go for it. Just like any machinery, these things have a usable life before they break and need to be replaced or repaired. Stop and think
about this, who's related to the person that either sells for a commission or has some sort of gain with the company that sell or makes
this equipment.

Thank you, MarkM, LetA, ElleN - I’ll check out that pool forum.

I’d be more inclined to go for that UV device Mark mentioned - although it’s not like we’re just rolling in cash. Things are good, but (IMHE) sitting back and admiring all of one’s money and imagining new ways to spend it is a recipe for disaster.

I haven’t found any kind of requirements for a UV sterilizer in any city / county / state documentation. Then again: there sure seems to be an awful lot of it.

My biggest objection to the CAS thing (and maybe the UV thing, too) is that it’s too big to fit into our current pool pump room. The fellow who is trying to sell us on this suggests using a couple of modular plastic sheds from Home Depot. Which look like junk, aren’t secure, would be a maintenance problem for years to come … I really don’t think much about “leaving a legacy”, but leaving an eyesore that people will blame on me for years and years - that’s different.

Our annual meeting is this coming week - gotta get started on the financial report and the pool report. What fun!

Again, thank you.

Bill