Are we there yet?
Has the hot tub industry started to address these issues of simplicity and conservation? Walking into any independent hot tub dealer could lead to answering this question with a ‘no,’ as one will still see a multitude of chemicals, which can cause confusion among incipient hot tub owners.
However, there have been some breakthroughs, including new multi-use chemicals and sanitizer-type devices (e.g. ozone and UV), which minimize the need for solid or granular disinfectants.
Coburn is one retailer who is seeing these changes and innovations occur as many of the hot tubs his company now offers have built-in features that reduce chemical usage.
“We offer hot tubs equipped with UV and/or ozonator systems,” he says. “And, if they aren’t equipped with an ozonator, we will install the unit for our customers. It’s a little early to tell if these units will extend the life of the water, but that is the goal. As a company, our goal is to be more environmentally conscious and sell more eco-friendly products.”
Other hot water maintenance innovations include mineral sanitizer systems and natural alternatives (e.g. seaweed enzyme extract), which reduce the need for chlorine and extends the life of the water and lengthens the period between draining.
“It’s not for everyone, as it’s best suited for users with lighter bather loads and requires more filter cleaning,” adds Coburn. “However, for those customers, it dramatically increases the life of the water.”
Cunningham also points out these water treatment alternatives also allow hot tub owners to use the water they remove from the hot tub on their lawns and gardens.
“You can’t do that with soapy water from a bathtub,” she adds.
Creating a positive perception
When automobile designers started incorporating safety features (e.g. airbags and seatbelts) into their designs,2 the big car companies initially rejected the idea as they believed it would send a negative message to buyers that cars were unsafe. However, the hot tub industry can learn from this and create a positive perception to consumers by being proactive and addressing current water challenges and presenting solutions, including how hot tubs can conserve water when treated and used properly.
Terry Arko has more than 30 years experience in the swimming pool and spa industry, working in service, repair, retail sales, chemical manufacturing, customer service, sales and product development. He is also a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and CPO Instructor through the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). Arko is currently product specialist for SeaKlear Pool and Spa Products a subsidiary of Halosource Inc., a clean water technology company based in Bothell, Wash. He can be reached via e-mail at tarko@seaklear.com.
Great article. Water conservation is so important!