Lazy River Hydraulic Design Expert

Building a lazy river water course is not a matter of merely placing pumps inlets around a concrete river.  It requires careful hydraulic calculations to ensure that the water actually "moves" around the stream in a circle.  Physics and gravity are used to assist in the water's movement.

Lack of Understanding

Most lazy rivers fail to operate as the property owner had wished.  The water does not flow at the speeds they have seen in water and amusements parks.  This is entirely the pool builder and designers fault.

Failing to grasp the hydraulics of moving water in a circle, these builders bite off more than they can chew.  They assume that if they place multiple suctions and returns around the river, that they can get the water to move.

Lack of Filtration

These lazy rivers also need to be treated as an additional vessel, with their own dedicated circulation, heat, filtration and sanitization systems.  

Multiple skimmers and returns need to be placed around the perimeter of the river to ensure that the water remains healthy for bathers.  This system will operate independently of the actual stream pumps.

Serviceability

Additionally, the lazy river needs to be designed and built to provide for the ease of maintenance.  A dedicated vacuum system with a pump and filter are the most efficient.  Multiple vacuum inlets around the river will ease vacuuming accumulated debris from the floor.

Access

Provisions need to be provided for bathers to enter and exit the lazy river.  This can be a shallow side beach or a water level "dock."  Whichever method is utilized, safe access cannot be ignored.  

Bathers cannot be expected to enter and exit by climbing over the sides.  This will only lead to accidents as inexperienced or weaker bathers struggle against the current.

Paolo Benedetti - International Swimming Pool Designer, Watershape Consulting, Aquatic Engineering, Expert Witness
© www.aquatictechnology.com
Paolo may be reached at:
info@aquatictechnology.com
or 
408-776-8220
 

Infinity Edge Backflow Siphon Protection

Gravity.  Something that we have absolutely no control over.
Mechanical devices.  Every mechanical device made by man WILL FAIL, we just do not know when.
Combine gravity with mechanical check valves, and siphoning back flow conditions on an infinity edge pool are bound to occur.

Catastrophic Results

Why is back siphoning on a vanishing edge pool so potentially devastating?  Most catch basins and surge tanks are a fraction of the volume of the larger pools that they support.  If 50,000+ gallons of water were to flow backwards into the smaller basin, the lower basin would overflow.

Hillside Pools

Most negative edge pools are constructed on hillsides or mountain tops overlooking gorgeous vistas.  Dumping 50,000+ gallons onto a slope can erode the slope, undermine the pool, cause mudslides, topple trees or even cause structures to list or tilt.

Image being the neighbor on the downhill side of one of these mistakes?  50,000+ gallons of mud and water does not figure into any wife's interior decorating plans.

Totally Preventable

Preventing back siphoning through the use of physics, is easily accomplished.  Though it requires a mechanical device, it is fail safe - that means that if the mechanical device fails, the back siphoning is still prevented!

If your pool designer or builder does not know how to create an elementary anti-siphon loop, then they should not be involved with your project.  This is child's play - yet the results in the event of a mudslide are very adult!

Paolo Benedetti - Swimming Pool Designer, Watershape Consultant, International Aqua Design, Expert Witness
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.aquatictechnology.com 
Contact the author at:
info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220
© all rights reserved

Pools & Spas Expert Witnesses - juris professional (expert witness)

You have located the world's leading pool and spa expert.  

As consultantswe may assist with issues involving drowning, life guarding, and life guards.  As experts, we may also provide reports and evaluations concerning water safety, aquatic safety, and health spas.  

We are also available to opine on pools, spas, watershapes, whirlpools, swimming, diving, bathing, chlorine, swimming pools, gymnasium pools, diving board installations, pool builders, residential swimming pools, diving springboards, public pools, wading pool, splash pad, water playground, olympic swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis or fountains. 

We can also assist any related construction, concrete, safety, plumbing or electrical related or defect issues.

Paolo Benedetti 

Aquatic Artist "Creating water as art."™  

Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©www.aquatictechnology.com  

You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220

Failed Glass Mosaic Tiles - Tear Out and Replace

Removing and replacing defective glass tile mosaics is an expensive and messy proposition.  It also leaves shards of glass everywhere !

Removing Tiles 

Chipping glass tiles from a swimming pool shell is one of the messiest and potentially dangerous jobs in our industry. 

Shards of glass fly everywhere.  Though the work area is isolated with barriers and tents, protective gear is worn, vacuums and pressure washers are employed, small invisible shards seem to spread everywhere. 

Level of Care

Regardless of the level of care, somehow these shards escape the precautions.  

Inevitably barefoot people seem to locate every glass shard around the pool for months following a projects reconstruction.

Paolo Benedetti
Watershapes Consulting, Aquatic Designer, Construction Management, Expert Witness, Owner's Rep
Info@aquatictechnology.com
408-776-8220

© www.AquaticTechnology.com