April 2024

ENHANCING POOL CHEMICAL SAFETY & REDUCING LIABILITY: The Imperative of Automated Pool Management By Sean Johnson and Kimberly Dempsey, Amenity Collective

I n May 2020, a family’s vacation in South Carolina turned tragic when their 3-year-old child was severely burned by over-chlorinated pool water. The aftermath resulted in prolonged medical treatment and undeniable trauma for the family. The resort owners also had to pay $26 million to resolve the lawsuit. This incident high lights a systemic issue in pool management and is not an isolated case. The maintenance and consequences of neglecting proper chemical balancing can extend far beyond physical injuries. The financial, legal, and rep utational damage to property management companies and their clients can be significant. Safety has become the top priority for all community associations. This incident is a stark reminder of the dan gers posed by inadequate and inconsistent pool mainte nance. The right automated pool chemical management systems offer reliable solutions to this problem, significantly reducing the risks associated with manual and frequent adjustments to pool chemicals to maintain proper water quality standards. Automation in pool maintenance ensures consistent and accurate sanitizer and pH levels, safeguarding

against the dangers of over or under-chlorination. These systems continuously monitor and adjust chemical levels, maintain optimal water quality and prevent incidents like the one in South Carolina from happening again. Not only do these systems enhance safety, but they provide crucial liability protection for property management companies. Automated records prove diligent mainte nance and assist in compliance with health and safety regulations. In light of such instances, it is clear that adopting the right automated pool chemical management system is no longer just a matter of convenience but also a neces sity to ensure safety and mitigate legal risk. As leaders in property management, we must prioritize the imple mentation of these systems to protect our communities from legal and reputational damage while upholding the highest standards of safety and care. Communities must commit to promoting best practices in property management, advocating for the well-being of residents and leading the way in responsible and efficient facility management. The transition to automat ed pool chemical management systems is not just an CONTINUES ON PAGE 36

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APRIL 2024

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