For facilities in the hospitality and recreation industries, water is central to the guest experience, and managing it comes with unique challenges. From resorts with sparkling pools to water parks to swim schools, teams must balance guest satisfaction with water safety and compliance. Yet, even with seasoned operators, unexpected issues can arise, and these can lead to costly violations, system breakdowns or even serious health incidents.
The Biggest Blind Spots
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that visually clear water equals chemically safe water. Operators often prioritize aesthetics over water chemistry, assuming that if it looks good, it is good. But imbalanced water can pose hidden risks to both guests’ health and equipment integrity. Routine lapses in testing frequency or incomplete documentation further compound the problem and create gaps that may not become apparent until something goes wrong.
Similarly, many operational risks go unnoticed until it’s too late. Faulty chemical controllers, broken flow meters and clogged filters are all common but often hard-to-identify threats. For example, a malfunctioning flow meter may falsely assure compliance when in fact the system is underperforming. These blind spots are not just technical issues; they are safety hazards waiting to surface.
Proper Training
Staffing and training gaps are a significant factor in water safety and compliance errors. High turnover and insufficient onboarding often leave critical responsibilities in the hands of underqualified personnel. Warning signs like strong chlorine odors or erratic readings can be missed by new or undertrained operators, leading to incidents that could have been prevented with proper oversight.
On the other hand, veteran teams may sometimes lean on established routines, making it easy to overlook recent updates to codes and best practices.
Regardless of experience level, ongoing education is essential to navigating evolving regulations and maintaining system integrity.
Recordkeeping is Essential
Inconsistent or incomplete logs don’t just undermine daily operations—they eliminate the paper trail necessary for proving compliance or identifying emerging trends. Without real-time or centralized tracking systems, vital data can get lost over time.
In the event of a violation or incident, these records become a property’s primary legal defense. The pertinence of keeping clear and accurate records cannot be overstated.
Different Facilities, Different Issues
Water safety and compliance challenges are nuanced and vary from facility to facility. Newer properties may fall into the trap of assuming modern water systems don’t require ongoing care and validation, while older properties often rely on legacy equipment that creates inefficiencies and risks.
High-end resorts may emphasize visual appeal over infrastructure, while others may lack access to advanced systems, training and resources.
It’s important for every facility to assess its unique advantages and vulnerabilities while addressing water management needs.
Prevention Is the Best Investment
The consequences of water safety and compliance oversights are not hypothetical. We’ve seen an automation failure result in over-chlorination and guest skin irritation, leading to legal claims and temporary closure. In another case, neglected filtration maintenance caused pump failure and tens of thousands of dollars in emergency repairs and lost revenue.
This is why operators should adopt a proactive mindset to water management by developing robust checklists, performing regular audits and prioritizing preventative maintenance. Leveraging third-party evaluations and solutions and embracing data-driven decision-making can significantly reduce risk.
At VivoAquatics, we help our clients monitor water quality in real time, automate compliance documentation and flag inefficiencies. One of our partner hotels saw a 90 percent reduction in guest complaints pertaining to the pool and spa within a year of implementation.
Sustainability Supports Safety
Something else to keep in mind is that water conservation and safety are not competing priorities; they’re complementary. Tools like variable frequency drives (VFDs) and advanced filtration systems reduce strain on equipment and ensure more stable performance. Efficient systems improve chemical distribution, minimize breakdowns and enhance water quality.
Additionally, water safety is increasingly part of broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. Certifications like LEED, Green Key and WELL now reward facilities for sustainability upgrades that also improve safety, such as smart controls and water reuse systems. Hospitality leaders are recognizing that what’s good for the environment is also good for their guests and the bottom line.
Looking Ahead
Automation is often misunderstood as a tool for convenience or cost-cutting, but its primary value lies in consistency. Automated water systems ensure critical processes like dosing and monitoring happen without fail. This reduces human error and supports continuous compliance, but it can’t and shouldn’t replace human oversight and diligence.
The future of water safety will demand a widespread adoption of automation tools and stricter protocols around data tracking, chemical storage and even indoor air quality. As regulations tighten, facility leaders must align their operational practices with evolving expectations and standards.
The bottom line? Water safety and compliance can no longer be overlooked. It must be embedded in every facet of facility operations—from staff training to system design.
About the Author
As the Vice President at VivoAquatics, Richard Lindhorn focuses on customer acquisition and retention, working closely with cross-functional teams to create compelling campaigns, cultivate strategic partnerships, drive demand generation activities and deliver measurable results. Throughout his career, he’s served in numerous capacities including but not limited to chief operating officer, revenue manager, consultant, head of corporate development, head of product, head of strategic alliances and more. He is Black Belt Certified (Lean Six Sigma) with university-level education in international business.
VivoAquatics provides a smart and connected technology platform for operators to manage water features including pools, spas and more, as well as the overall conservation of a facility. An innovative suite of commercial aquatic solutions, VivoAquatics equips customers with the tools needed to improve water safety, conservation and compliance. It provides chemical automation, water safety monitoring, leak detection, water and energy usage monitoring, compliance management and more to deliver the safest and most appealing water for guests in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
