I spent time with Scott Venegas while he was working at the main pool. His day starts at 5:30 a.m. so he can get the pool cleaned up by opening time at 7:30.
Scott is responsible for the main pool. Eddie Hubert does the Cottonwood pool, Ingo does the Sports pool and Bill maintains the north pool. Each of these men are Pool & Spa certified after taking a two day course in Mesa. This schooling teaches a lot about the chemistry of maintaining a healthy pool.
Scott demonstrated how he tests the water quality by dipping in a test strip and comparing the colors to a chart.
Next we visited inside the pump house. All this equipment needed for one pool.
This is a sand filter for the hot tub
There are four heaters to control the warmth throughout the pool. Ideal temperature should be 86 for the pool and 104 for the spa.
Automatic feeding system for the chemicals.
Sand filters for the pool.
Here is how chlorine is added to the water. Tablets get dropped into the system.
Water quality needs to be checked closely as it changes dramatically with people entering the pool with their suntan lotion, deodorant, hairspray, etc. There is also contamination from our feathered friends who may deposit in the water. On a windy day there are many more variations from the leaves and plants around the pool area. Our desert dust comes from open farm fields with the fertilizers and herbicides included.
This portable filter vacuums the bottom of the pool with a long plastic hose. Water is flushed through the filter inside the machine. Afterward comes the tedious task of cleaning the filter.
This long pole attaches to the base of the vacuum to steer it where needed.
The long hose is stored in the storage box near the pool.
We also have these robot vacuums. The rangers put the robots in the pools at closing time so they can vacuum all night long.
Down on hands and knees to scrub and sterilize the ramp and tiles along the edge. Ouch!
A long handled net is used to scoop up stray leaves and debris that didn't get caught in the filters.
It's not just the pool itself but the whole area surrounding the pool that gets special attention every morning. Our pool attendants sweep and wash the pool deck, rearrange and wash all the furniture and keep the area pristine. All the chairs and tables are arranged neatly for another day of fun for our guests.
Here's Eddie Hubert finishing up at the Cottonwood pool as he rinses and rearranges the furniture. Eddie is the mechanic who maintains and repairs the filters and heaters for each of the pools.
