Skip to main content
  • Directory
  • Magazine
  • Contributors
Playground Professionals
Play and Playground News and Views

Main navigation

  • Playground
  • Surfaces
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Aquatics
  3. Water Safety
  4. Water Woes

Water Woes

Water Safety
March 01, 2003
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
By Playground Magazine on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
699

Is a Recirculated Water Operating Systems an Option for Your Splash Pad?

Water is often seen as being abundant and renewable. But as demand for freshwater continues to rise, with water quality issues adding to the concern, municipalities across the country are looking for innovative ways to help manage and conserve this precious resource. 

With the rising popularity of zero-depth aquatic play areas or splash pads, comes the concern of safeguarding the health of the community, while at the same time protecting a capital investment. 

Drain away vs. Recirculated

There are two types of Splashpad operating systems available for your aquatic play area. The first is the drain away option, in which the city’s potable water supply is used to supply water. With this system, water is drained to the city’s storm or sanitary lines or collected and used to irrigate surrounding areas. The second option, becoming increasingly popular in areas where water consumption is an issue, is a recirculated water filtration and treatment system. This system filters and chemically treats water from a holding tank, while constantly monitoring the quality of water being recirculated. 

When considering recirculated water options, it is important to understand that it is more expensive and involves additional costs not only in materials but also during the installation or construction phase. It also requires more effort to maintain and operate than a drain away system. 

Another solution is to incorporate an automation system in addition to choosing features with special nozzles specifically designed to minimize water consumption. By having the water events run automatically on a number of predetermined sequences, only a few features are turned on at once during a given period of time. Aside from the reduced water consumption and lower operating expense, this option has an interactive element for heightened play value. 

There is a widely held misconception that more water equals more fun. This is simply not true. In fact, the fun and excitement of an aquatic play area is derived more from the interaction, cause, and effect, and overall play value of the features, than from the amount of water supplied. 

But, if your goal is to reduce water consumption while ensuring safe, high-quality water at all times, there is no better option than a water filtration and treatment system. However, compatibility issues, as well as installation and maintenance costs, are key factors to consider. It is also important to understand the differences between the water filtration and treatment equipment required for a pool versus that of an aquatic play area.

Splashpads vs. Pools

When it comes to filtration, the most significant difference between a pool and an aquatic play area is water volume. The body of water in a public pool can typically range anywhere from 20,000 gallons to 2 million gallons (Olympic), whereas a splash pad will accommodate 3000-5000 gallons in an underground reservoir. Consequently, the ratio of bathers to volume of water is much higher, which means there is a need to detect contaminants much more quickly. Because an aquatic play area can be installed in an unsupervised environment, it is recommended that the system be able to filter and treat all the water in its holding tank within 10-15 minutes. By comparison, a public pool needs approximately six hours to turnover, whereas a spa or hot tub should do so in about 30 minutes. 

Water Woes

Design Criteria 

Innovative new features such as automated controllers and alert systems that monitor water quality and adjust chemicals accordingly are also essential components for any system using recirculated water. These programmable chemical controllers constantly monitor and regulate pH (alkaline) and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) levels to keep bacteria from building up. 

The system should be equipped with failsafe features that not only protect the health of users but also components of the filter system itself. In the event of contamination, water distribution to the features must be immediately halted until the water quality in the holding tank returns to acceptable levels. And should the water level in the holding tank become too low, the system should shut down until makeup water is added, to protect the pump from being damaged. 

Added Value 

There are several advantages to having a pre-engineered system that is completely compatible with an aquatic play area’s automation and water distribution systems. Not only does it simplify installation and minimize on-site work, but it also reduces maintenance and operating costs. 

Whichever option you choose, drain away, or water recirculation system, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local health & safety codes and restrictions regarding aquatic play environments. This way, you’ll be sure to have a safe, clean facility that your community will enjoy for years to come.

Read more articles

Older
5 Must-Have Things When Boating with Kids

Add new comment

About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
Playground Magazine
699
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

  • Picture
    Profile picture for user Playground Magazine

    Playground Magazine

    Thinking Today About Tomorrow's Play™ The only magazine that is 100% dedicated to the Playground Industry

    Author profile »

Read More In Water Safety

  • Swimming Safety - drowning prevention
    Jun 11, 2017
    Water Safety

    Drownings can be quiet and quick. Here's how to prevent them.

    PGP
  • Jun 21, 2012
    Water Safety

    Interactive Water Features Popularity Bubbling Up

    Playground Magazine
  • Jan 01, 2003
    Water Safety

    Updating Aquatic Facilities Can Be Like Starting Over

    Playground Magazine
  • child floating in a pool on an inflatable duck
    Feb 09, 2021
    Water Safety

    5 Tips To Ensure Your Kids Are Safe In The Pool

    Dennis Crowe
  • Water Safety
    Jul 30, 2019
    Water Safety

    The Importance of Kids' Water Safety

    Dashia Starr
  • Children learning to float
    May 29, 2018
    Water Safety

    The Importance of Swimming Safety for Kids

    Jenny Silverstone
  • 5 Must-Have Things When Boating with Kids
    Jun 29, 2020
    Water Safety

    5 Must-Have Things When Boating with Kids

    Mukeshwar Singh
  • Jul 01, 2005
    Water Safety

    What doesn't go with water?

    Playground Magazine

Subscribe to Play & Playground

Sponsored Spotlights

Playground

  • Playstructures
  • Inclusion
  • Adventure Playgrounds
  • Fund Raising
  • Playground Safety
  • Playground Construction
  • Maintenance & Inspection
  • Swing Sets
  • Residential
  • Climbing Walls
  • Theme
  • Indoor
  • Recycled
  • Nature Play
  • Nets and Ropes
  • Musical

Surfaces

  • Loose Fill
  • Rubber
  • Artificial Turf
  • Sports Court
  • Surfacing Maintenance

Athletics

  • Sports Equipment
  • Outdoor Exercise
  • Fitness and Exercise
  • Bleachers

Parks and Recreation

  • Parks Administration
  • Landscape
  • Benches
  • Outdoor Tables
  • Trash Receptacles
  • Bike Racks
  • Drinking Fountain
  • Playground Lighting
  • Shelters
  • Shade Structures
  • Restrooms
  • Dog Park
  • Skatepark

Aquatics

  • Spray Parks
  • Surf Parks
  • Water Safety
  • Pool
  • Water Slides

Play

  • Amusement Park
  • School and Education
  • Toys
  • Parenting
  • Bullying
  • Health and Safety
  • Games and Gaming
  • Inflatables
  • Arts and Crafts
Playground Professionals
Play and Playground News and Views

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Advertise
  • Submit Business
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2021 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions