A Synopsis on the Facts
Many swimmers and users of our pools have been concerned over the apparent lack of appropriate, even state regulated maintenance required at our semi-private pools. At the end of June 2023 it was discovered that we had 'black algae' mold growing in the plaster walls of the AFC Pool, which is a health hazard. This is caused by a shortfall in proper cleaning.
It took some astute residents to probe the situation. They were advised that as a result of the negligence and consequential mold growth, total re-plastering of the pool could be necessary in the long run, if not properly cleaned on a daily basis. Signs for algaecide treatments as required by the Pima County Health Dept. were posted. But, no notifications pertaining to the situation were sent by email to residents, and it was not mentioned in the weekly newsletter to the community the week the mold outbreak had occurred.
Algaecide shock treatments are only a temporary fix for this problem. Without proper maintenance, the mold can grow back. Rules for semi-private pools, which are the same for commercial pools, specify daily cleaning and scrubbing of pool wall surfaces at several intervals throughout the day, to deter these and other kinds of outgrowths from happening.
This type of neglect in the proper cleaning of our pools also occurred last summer in 2022. After the Health Dept. was called in to check the condition of the pools, the association was instructed to schedule a regular maintenance program that included directions on how to clean and scrub the pools. Apparently these instructions were not adhered to as they should have been. Therefore it could be prudent to contract an outside professional pool service to clean and maintain the pools at least 4-5 days a week, with the slack taken up by our one pool maintenance employee on the other days.
(Go to next page for the reports on the pool conditions.)
Click on the Blog Page in the menu bar to see the posts below:
'Summer Pool Bugs', Jul 28, 2022
'Facts Set the Record Straight', Jun 20, 2023
NOTES & INFO from E-Konomy, a Pool Service Company in Tucson
About Black Algae Mold:
"You will see it at the sides and bottom of pools. It's not slimy to the touch usually, but hard and crusty and protrudes out in the shape of a dome from the pool's plaster surfaces. It has root tentacles that grow into the plaster walls. If left there too long, it can attract e-coli. The remedy is to close the pool for one week and use a chemical algaecide treatment, shocking the pool every day for 3 to 5 days and meticulously scrubbing the pool surfaces with a specific wire brush. But if there is 'black algae' mold to a high degree, especially now that it was found to grow from the size of a dime to the size of a quarter in one week, that remediation would be a waste of money and a temporary fix. It's like putting a bandaid on it and the mold will come back. Closing the pool, emptying its water and re-plastering the pool surfaces is the only way to completely remediate the issue."
Eye Witnesses at the AFC Pool / June 2023:
- A resident who had been the owner of a pool maintenance service company, saw the black mold spots the week of June 12, 2023 and noted they were the size of a dime. He said black mold was at the bottom of the pool in concentrated areas. He saw a lot of it with his goggles at Lane #4, 3/4's of the way down where he swims, behind the ladders, and at all the lane's grout lines. He also saw other kinds of algae at the ladders, not just the 'black algae' mold.
- He saw that the 'gunite' plaster pool surface material is coming loose at the bottom of the pools, and at the spa, the seats are torn up and the deck surface is peeling and dirty. He said the spa and pool both needs re-plastering. He said he has never seen anyone cleaning the pool, as in removing debris with nets, cleaning the skimmers and filters and using the scrubbing brush. He said the automatic pool cleaner is not being placed into the pool at closing time, and then removed in the morning before anyone arrives at 4-5am. If this was being done, the pool would not be dirty and filled with debris when he arrives at 5am. He regularly cleans out the skimmers and filters and has removed bandaids, foot bunion cushions and a total of 30 frogs this summer. They need to use an automatic cleaner for both pools, not just the one stationed at the AFC Pool. He also said there is always rust at the ladders.
- He tests the PH levels before any of the early morning swimmers get in the pool. The pool maintenance dept. (do we even have one?) is supposed to check the water 2 times per day, but he never sees anyone doing that in the morning when he arrives or by the time he leaves. He wants to see the log sheet they are using to record the water levels. He suspects they are not recording them on a log sheet correctly or not at all. There is a specific log format that is supposed to be used by standard regulation that has places to record the dates, times and the readings for each mineral.
- The pool serviceman is supposed to be certified. Are our pool maintenance employees certified? He doubts we even have regular employees maintaining the pools. He suggests we hire a pool maintenance company to service the pools 5 days a week, because it is obvious they are unable to properly handle the daily work load needed, they are not doing their jobs and/or are unfamiliar with how to maintain swimming pools, especially semi-private/public pools with specific regulation protocols.
- Another resident who uses the pool saw the black mold spots with his goggles on Sat. June 24, 2023. He said they now have gotten to the size of a quarter (from a dime, just a week ago).
- A concerned resident took samples of water from the (2) pools on Fri. June 23, 2023 to the E-Konomy Pool service on Thornydale Rd. in Marana. They tested the water mineral levels in the samples.
Read below for the serviceman's analysis of the tests.
AFC Pool:
"The water measurements indicate there is most probably 'black algae' mold growing in the plaster walls of the AFC Pool. It can attract 'e-coli' if not properly remediated. The entire pool will most likely have to be re-plastered. Just using a algaecide shock treatment, doesn't handle this kind of problem, it's just a 'cover-up' since the mold will grow back into the plaster walls of the pool again within a short time frame. It has long tentacles that reach into the plaster. It would be a waste of money to just do a chemical shock treatment. This is an unhealthy condition to swim in. No one should be allowed in the pool right now. Health Dept.'s may request immediate mediation with specific pool shock treatments and specific cleaning instructions to rid the pool of contaminants, but this is only a temporary fix."
Click here for a .pdf of the AFC Pool water mineral test results from June 23, 2023
DO Pool:
The water measurements indicate that there is some bacteria in the water. Since the 'Clear Comfort' AOP system in the DO Pool deals with so many more contaminants than chlorine does, something is off. Maybe the 'Clear Comfort' filter needs changing, or maybe the system is not working or turned on. The pool needs an algaecide shock treatment. It is unsafe to swim in."
Click here for a .pdf of the DO Pool water mineral test results from June 23, 2023
E-Konomy Pools stated they would come to inspect the pools and give the residents, an evaluation of the (2) pools and the spa's condition (i.e., Is there 'black algae' or not?) with price estimates for what they will think the (2) pools and spa will need to remediate the situation. They will also give the residents a price quote for a (5) day a week pool and maintenance service contract.
ADD'L. NOTES From an Experienced Resident:
- The Spa: "Scaling is caused by high PH & alkaline levels. The surface is coming apart and the 'gunite' plaster wall material is corroding from the chemicals in the water being 'off'.
- "Black algae mold is created from swimmers who have come from out of town who might have been swimming in a natural lake and did not clean their suits properly. It could also come from the frogs that get in the pools."
- What are the negative consequences of not addressing the "black algae' mold? "The plaster deteriorates and the mold could attract 'e-coli'."
- Website Link: Swimming with Black Algae in Your Pool
https://www.zagerspoolspa.com/blog/swim-with-black-algae/
- There was a man who used to be in charge years ago of our (2) community pools. Our pools were very well maintained during that period of time. Later on, a few years ago, he had a disagreement on the procedures to properly maintain, clean and treat the pools, so he resigned. He then was hired at Saddlebrooke and has an office located at one of their (3) pools. He has a full time certified pool employee stationed at each one of the (3) pools, working to maintain them on a daily basis. These pools are kept very clean and pristine.
- This is what a public, semi-public and semi-private pool needs, as recommended by state regulations - a regular maintenance schedule with an employee assigned to work everyday keeping the pools clean and checking the water PH levels at several intervals throughout the day. Then there will be no mold, aglae, bug or bacteria issues to contend with.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
- 'Clear Comfort ' is the name of the trademarked 'Advanced Oxidation Process' (AOP) sanitation system installed at the Desert Oasis Pool in May of 2017 by E-Konomy Pools. AOP is a state of the art, high-tech filtering system which eliminates the use of chlorine in large amounts, so it is the system of choice for those with allergies or sensitivities to the harshness and dangers of chlorine. It has a high success rate in removing more contaminants and by products in swimming pools, if properly maintained, than any other chlorinated or alternative systems. It creates safe and pure water superior to chlorine, salt water or bromine."Clear Comfort' was installed in 2015 at the U of A's Olympic Pool, so we know it's the best!
- The plan was to install the 'Clear Comfort' system at a later date in the AFC Main Pool, so the same sanitizing product could be used in both of our pools, eliminating having to buy large amounts of chlorine. This advanced system is not only a great asset to our community, but it's a good selling point, giving our pools a high ranking with its allergy-free, pure water.
- But when the new GM arrived things changed. Even though a resident submitted a proposal with a (reasonable) fee schedule for (4) continuous years, it was voted down by the Activity & Fitness Center Committee. Then in the 5th year (Feb 2021) the committee voted FOR it! But the GM said that they now needed to get (3) separate bids from other product 'brands' with their accompanying installation costs, before he would approve the purchase, even though 'Clear Comfort' is the superior product and our 'E-Konomy' pool service installer is the best in Tucson. Unfortunately this procedure was halted when the pandemic hit and hasn't been brought back for consideration.
(Email us if you are interested in reading the proposals to the AFC Comm. and the response email from the GM after the Activity Fitness Center Committee had approved the 'Clear Comfort' product install.)
- Here is the issue: 'Clear Comfort' which originated in 2017 holds the patent on the product. Any other brands that have come along since 2017 are simply not as good or efficient. 'E-Konomy' is the best authorized pool service company in Tucson who installs and maintains the 'Clear Comfort' AOP system. Once the system is installed it is now possible though to purchase the cartridge filters that need changing once a year, from online sources.
- In Feb 2021 the AFC Committee voted for the 'Clear Comfort' product for the Main Pool and agreed it was wise to use it not only for the cost savings and ease of servicing but for a smoother installation. The GM however had a different view on the matter and since he controls the operations of the community, he preferred to have the last word. The Board of Directors were either most likely not informed of this proposal and final vote of the AFC Committee or if they were, they had deferred to the GM's directions instead.
- Most board members and residents in the community are not aware (and were never made aware) that we have this advanced sanitation technology installed in the DO Pool, called 'Clear Comfort'. They think the pool has the same antiquated chlorine system as in the AFC Pool. There is a massive difference in the water quality and residents especially those who are allergic or sensitive to chlorine ought to be informed. Advertising this information is as simple as notating it on the community website or in resident emails.
Click link below for information on the 'Clear Comfort' system.