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Rising utility costs, tighter budgets, aging infrastructure, staffing challenges and higher expectations for safety and user experience. New technology can assist operators in keeping up with the pressures by keeping water quality stable, reducing downtime, improving air quality and supporting lifeguards and supervisors with better information.
Below are seven technology areas that are reshaping aquatic operations, with a focus on what matters at deck level and in the mechanical room.
1.) Smart Facilities & Connected Pool Systems From manual checks to continuous visibility
Many facilities are moving toward “connected pool” operations: networks of sensors, controllers, and dashboards that provide real-time status of the pool and its support systems.
Key Technologies
- Continuous water-quality sensing: Inline/online monitoring for pH, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), free chlorine, temperature, etc.
- Remote dashboards and alarms: Systems that send notifications for out-of-range readings, chemical tank levels, pump faults, or filtration issues.
- Integration with building systems: Coordination between pool mechanical systems and building automation (particularly natatorium HVAC and dehumidification).
Operational value
- Faster detection of developing issues (chlorine drift, pH instability, filtration problems).
- Better documentation and trend tracking for troubleshooting and reporting.
- More consistent swimmer comfort (temperature stability, clearer water).
Operator note: Sensors still require calibration, cleaning and verification testing. Technology reduces blind spots but it does not eliminate the need for good testing routines and operator judgment.