The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation has become one of the most closely watched aquatic projects in the country. With the nation's 250th anniversary fast approaching, crews are racing to complete a controversial overhaul of the iconic six-million-gallon landmark in time for July 4th celebrations. But will the solution being implemented today solve the pool's long-standing problems, or simply improve its appearance in the short term?

In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty sits down with aquatic consultant Tim Auerhahn, Chairman of Aquatic Council, LLC, whose comments on the project recently appeared in The New York Times. Together, they discuss the unique challenges of maintaining the historic reflecting pool, why algae and water clarity issues have persisted for decades, and whether coating the basin with a polyurea lining is the right solution.

Auerhahn shares his concerns about the lack of peer-reviewed data supporting the material's use in a project of this nature, questions surrounding UV exposure, chemical resistance, fading, adhesion to historic granite, and the long-term implications of altering one of America's most recognizable monuments. The conversation also explores how modern filtration, circulation, ozone, and UV technologies could potentially address the underlying causes of the pool's ongoing water quality problems.

The discussion examines the balance between preservation and practicality, the challenges of restoring a 102-year-old aquatic landmark, and whether the accelerated timeline has left enough room for the careful review typically associated with projects of this historical significance.

Whether you're a pool professional, watershape designer, preservation enthusiast, or simply curious about one of the most ambitious aquatic renovations in recent memory, this episode offers an inside look at the technical questions surrounding the future of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Topics Discussed:

• Why the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is so difficult to maintain
• The lessons learned from the 2012 rehabilitation project
• Algae blooms, water clarity, and circulation challenges
• Rhino Pipeliner 5000 and the use of polyurea coatings
• Concerns over peer review, UV exposure, and chemical resistance
• Historic preservation versus accelerated project timelines
• Will the project be completed in time for July 4th?
• What a long-term solution for the reflecting pool might look like
• The balance between restoration, aesthetics, and preservation

Read our article in Pool Magazine:

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool May Meet Its Deadline—But Will It Solve the Problem?

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Pool safety starts long before anyone ever jumps into the water.

On this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, Joe Trusty sits down with Jeremy Brongo, owner of Florida State Fence, to discuss one of the most overlooked — but most important — layers of protection around residential swimming pools: safety barriers and fencing.

During Water Safety Month, the conversation takes a deep dive into the real-world role pool fences play in preventing accidental drownings, particularly involving young children. Jeremy explains why simply having “a fence” around the yard doesn’t necessarily mean a homeowner is compliant with code, and breaks down many of the misconceptions surrounding Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act.

The discussion also explores the critical details many homeowners never think about — from climbable fence designs and improperly functioning gates to self-latching hardware, outward-swinging gate requirements, pool alarms, and the hidden dangers created by nearby furniture, AC units, and pool equipment. Jeremy shares firsthand insight into the kinds of safety risks his company encounters regularly and explains why ongoing maintenance of a barrier system is just as important as the initial installation itself.

Topics Covered Include:

• The importance of pool barriers in preventing accidental drownings
• Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requirements
• Common misconceptions about pool fence compliance
• Pool fence height and spacing requirements
• Climbable fence designs that violate code
• Self-closing and self-latching gate requirements
• Why pool gates must swing outward
• Using the home as part of a pool barrier system
• Hidden backyard hazards homeowners overlook
• Common pool barrier maintenance mistakes
• How often pool fences and gates should be inspected
• When pool fencing should be planned
• Balancing pool safety with backyard aesthetics
• The importance of layered protection around pools

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In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, Pentair’s Yann Morvan discusses what really creates perfect pool water. He explains how clarity, balanced chemistry, and proper sanitization all work together to deliver the clean, inviting water pool owners expect. Morvan also clears up common myths about saltwater pools and explains why salt chlorine generators have become the dominant choice for new inground pools.

The conversation also covers Pentair’s redesigned IntelliChlor system, built to make life easier for service professionals with modular components, improved sensors, and built-in diagnostics. Morvan also touches on filtration improvements through Pentair’s Pleatco cartridge partnership and how smart automation is helping the industry move toward predictive water management.

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