APSP RELEASES TOOLS FOR POST FLOOD OR
HURRICANE REBUILDING EFFORTS

PRESS RELEASE

October 6, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(ALEXANDRIA, VA)

– The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) today announced the release of the fact sheet “Flooded Swimming Pools and Spas” for businesses and homeowners involved in rebuilding communities affected by major flood incidents or hurricane.

This fact sheet is intended to help homeowners and businesses understand important issues surrounding electrical, personal and chemical safety.  Also, it focuses on the delayed repair and repairing of flooded swimming pools or spas, hard surface cleanup, electrical components and steps to remediate pool and spa water. Download this fact sheet.

“In the aftermath of a water-related catastrophe, one of the most important things that you can do is to ensure the safety of the victims, “said Rich Gottwald, president and chief executive officer of APSP. “Many of our members were affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and we will continue to offer resources to help our members recover and resume business as soon as possible.”

The topic of storm preparedness and post storm safety and response will be the center of discussion on November 2, 2017 at the upcoming International Pool | Spa| Patio Expo in Orlando, Florida. Chairman of the APSP Board Jack Manilla, will be part of a panel session titled “Before and After the Storm: Disaster Safety, Prevention and Response.  Happening on November 2 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Orlando Contention Center in Orlando, Florida, this session will discuss how the pool industry is assisting in disaster relief since Hurricane Irma, disaster prevention and safety. Manilla will be joined on the panel by Senior Vice President at Arrow Insurance Service Raymond Arouesty; NC Brands Recreational Water Specialist Terry Arko; Florida Department of Health Environmental Administrator Bob Vincent; and Editor-In-Chief at Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International Magazine Joanne McClain.

Other upcoming regional and national events where industry members will have an opportunity to address this topic with representatives of the APSP Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC) include:

• ​October 11-12, 2017 | Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana
  RWQC member Greg Garrett, of Applied Materials Technologies Inc., will lead two 90 minute in-depth training sessions in Baton Rouge (October 11) and Lafayette (October 12) on water treatment processes and pool finish problems.
• November 3, 2017 | International Pool | Spa| Patio Expo | Members of the RWQC will present “Water Chemistry in Challenging Times.” from 9:15-10:30 a.m. in Room N320 of the Orange County Convention Center. Presenters include RWQC Chairman Joseph Laurino, Ph.D., Greg Garrett, Jody O’Grady, and Kenneth Grady. This seminar will provide tips on how to maintain water quality and the integrity of the pool surface and equipment as the pool water ages. Topics covered will include the difficulties encountered when testing aged water; coping with the upward drift in water quality parameters; and dealing with accumulated wastes and disinfection byproducts in the water.