Serving Professionals in the Pond and Water Feature Industry

™

January/February 2014 US $6.95

POND or POOL? swim pond debate p.30

2014 Business Toadally a Wintering IWGS Calendar p.21 Frog! p.23 Your Koi p. 42 Awards p. 46 Swim Pond Debate

industry, a serious search for answers begins with a by Peter Celauro, long, hard look at the water. Editor, POND Trade Magazine Swimming with the Enemy he story seemed harmless enough at first. In May of 2012, 24-year-old college student “Imagine, if you will, a one-of- a- kind Aimee Copeland was whizzing across a Georgia river retreat,” Jerry Romano wrote, detailing a on a homemade zip line when the cable snapped, Twater feature his New Jersey-based Liquid Designz sending her careening into the rocks below. The fall team built. “Huge boulders form breathtaking water- carved a giant gash in her leg that required 22 staples falls and rushing streams. A pristine body of water to close. Cheerful and optimistic, Aimee assured her emulates a serene, natural mountain spring. Arched parents that her injury was nothing to worry about. water spouts grace the exterior, and a flat boulder Her parents’ concern was justified, however, serves as a table with crystal clear water bubbling when Aimee’s leg began to disintegrate before their Pond or Pool? The fierce and divisive swim pond debate up through a hole in the center. It is a refreshing very eyes. Three days after her accident, she lost and safe bathing experience that must be seen to be consciousness and was put on life support. By the believed … a truly one -of- a- kind, functioning pond time she regained the ability to breathe without ecosystem that also [serves] as a recreational pool.” assistance 17 days later, both of her feet and hands Oh, the drama in that last sentence. and much of both forearms had been amputated. When POND Trade published Romano’s Doctors say she was lucky to escape the incident story in its May/June 2013 issue, reader feedback with her life. was immediate and incendiary. Critics called and Tests revealed that Aimee suffered necrotizing emailed to voice their concerns. Internet forums fasciitis, a rare but fast-spreading skin infection in ignited as biology experts and pond professionals which bacteria literally eats away a patient’s flesh. argued about pathogens and electrical circuits. The infection can stem from contact with many Photo courtesy of Aquascape Inc. Some touted installations like the one Romano different strains of bacteria, but Aimee’s was caused described — often referred to as “swim ponds” — by Aeromonas hydrophila — a bacterium found as a safe and natural way to interact with beloved primarily in the fresh or brackish water of warm ingestion of bacteria that has the potential for severe water, including streams, were polluted. Taking into water features. Others condemned them as hazard- climates, such as rivers (like the one Aimee fell into), damage is greatly increased.” account the ubiquitous nature of many aquatic patho- ous bacterial breeding grounds. Still others called lakes … and potentially, man-made ponds. Meyer Jordan agrees. The owner of Ripples Inc. gens, no swimming venue, constructed or natural, the entire idea a Pandora’s Box of legal and political “There have been many instances of flesh-eating in Pensacola, Fla., Jordan has 15 years of experience can be considered absolutely safe for human immer- issues that threatened to destroy the pond industry bacteria and parasites causing damage that came in the design, construction and maintenance of life- sion. Levels have been established that, if observed, as we know it. from people going swimming in freshwater lakes as supporting water features. He is also a self-proclaimed reduce the risk of infection for the general public to While the arguments were as diverse as their well as swim ponds,” said Max Taylor, owner and research junkie with an emphasis on microbiology and an acceptable level. These levels, however, can only be authors, one thing was clear: swim ponds have operator of Texas-based Magnolia Ponds & Water how it applies to aquatic habitats. maintained through a proven mode of disinfection. At sparked perhaps the most heated and contentious Gardens. “Warm water is a haven for both good “The world is more polluted than most people present, as relates to constructed, closed-system swim debate in the history of ponding. and pathological bacteria. Swim ponds are a closed realize or are willing to accept,” Jordan said. “The EPA facilities, the only accepted effective modes of disinfec- But who’s right? As is always the case in this system; the possibility of ear infections and the recently stated that 90 percent of all inland bodies of tion are the use of chlorine, UV and/or ozone. Others

30 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 31

A Type III single-chamber NSP in Germany. The regeneration zone surrounds the perimeter of the swimming area to add to this pool’s naturalistic appearance. Photo Courtesy of BioNova Natural Pools.

the woods,” said Fred Pape, specialty do exist but are not practical for use in “They’re potentially lethal. E. coli projects manager at Aquascape Inc. in St. swim venues.” bacteria, on a warm summer day, triples Charles, Ill. “The system uses a naturally According to Jordan, there are a its colony every hour. These things harbor balanced ecosystem approach … you’re plethora of pathogens (infectious agents and multiply in these water features.” coming up with a pond system that is such as harmful bacteria, protozoa and Jordan suspects that many cases of based on what Mother Nature does to other microorganisms) that can lurk in a infection are misdiagnosed because the non-chemically treated pond. However, onset of symptoms can take anywhere he claims that some, such as Giardia and from a few hours to two or three weeks. Cryptosporidium, are more troublesome “It would be very understandable for one than others. “Both are more tolerant of who develops symptoms after a couple of disinfecting treatments than the other weeks to blame it on Taco Bell or some pathogens,” he said. “So vigilance is a other source, when the true source is the swimming venue,” he said. must in any swimming venue.” Jordan isn’t the only one who thinks swim ponds pose a high risk of infection. Much Ado About Nothing? “There are super streptococcus While many critics echo Jordan’s bacteria out there that are immune sentiments, not all pond professionals to antibiotic treatments,” said David are as concerned about pathogens as he Jones, owner of The Pond Professional and Jones are. in Georgia. Jones is also the executive “I have absolutely no concern over Staphylococcus aureas is one of many potentially director and chairman of the board of the [bacteria] side of it, because our dangerous bacteria sometimes found in fresh the International Professional Pond ponds are healthier than a normal, water. Photo courtesy of the National Institute Companies Association (IPPCA). stagnant pond you might encounter in of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. WHOLESALE January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 33 Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2556 clean her water systems. We can’t do … that people can swim in.” Campbell the pump or pump intake line, and bonding and grounding of the basin, better than that. We think we can with asserts that the key to a pond that’s safe an up-flow bog at the other end of the pumps, lighting. For instance, the pond chlorination and UV and all those other for swimming is in the materials. plumbing. One- to three-inch river rock lights we all use are not approved. There things. But if you’re mimicking what “Rock, plants, bacteria, bottom aera- is applied at three to five inches deep and is no submersible pump that is UL Mother Nature does, it really doesn’t get tion, circulation with filtration and fish,” acts as the medium for beneficial bacte- approved for use in any vessel which is any better than that. I personally don’t Campbell said. “These are the necessary ria to colonize. The bottom aerator keeps used for swimming or wading. They are have any issue with [swimming in a swim ingredients for an eco-balanced pond, this beneficial bacteria alive and healthy. not grounded. Using a GFIC (ground Healthy bacteria colonies will keep the fault interrupter circuit) is not grounding pond bottom clean and the water clear. a pump. Period.” You will never see suspended algae in a Jones agrees. pond built this way.” “Literally none of the pond industry As for the pathogens, Campbell says equipment is rated for swimming pool those are easily managed. stuff,” he said. “Electricity and water “Pathogens are a health concern in any should really be an influencing factor in a body of water that is used for swimming. design. There are some people who claim Lakes have little streams from farm fields their pond equipment is UL rated, but and often drainage from adjoining neigh- when you get down to the UL rating, it’s borhoods running into them. Our swim- not for human contact. ming ponds are constructed with a heavily “There was another outfit [that was] using a 12-volt submersible pump,” Jones “There is no submersible continued. “I know a lot of people with pump that is UL approved high-dollar koi fish who won’t even put 12-volt lighting in their pond. The biggest for use in any vessel which A Type IV multi-chamber NSP with adjacent regeneration zone in the suburbs of Istanbul, risk, even with low voltage, is that usually Turkey. Because the water in a natural swimming pool is biologically active, a green is used for swimming or you’ve run a copper wire into the water for colored membrane is used to mask the biofilm. Photo Courtesy of BioNova Natural Pools. wading. They are not grounded. Using a GFIC (ground fault interrupter circuit) is not grounding a pump. Period.”

planted dry stream utilizing 1.5-inch river rock at a depth of five inches. This helps to clear the water of lawn debris and other possible contaminants prior to reaching the pond. After a hard rain the water may get a bit tan and the new introduction of nutrients may result in an algae bloom, but the ingredients needed for E. coli and similar are not present.” A Shocking Possibility Photo courtesy of Aquascape Inc. According to critics, swim ponds present another danger that has nothing pond], and have no problem with my when used properly. Anyone who has to do with bacteria: risk of electric shock. kids swimming in it.” mastered the eco-balanced pond can “I come from the swimming pool Pape is not the only pond professional build a swimming pond. industry and am familiar with the electri- who feels this way. Raymond Campbell “We never use any ‘-cide’ of any cal codes and access/exit requirements,” of Lost Eden Ponds in Clearwater, Minn. kind, nor do we use UV sterilizers or any Taylor said. “Most pond builders do not says his company has built over a dozen other electronic doodads,” Campbell have a clue what the National Electrical “eco-balanced ponds for birds and wildlife explained. “We use an intake bog at Code requires for pools, especially the

Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2514 34 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 35 or a check in the bank?” Natural Swimming Pools are actively building a number of them in As the preeminent executive at the To Alan Weene and his colleagues, residential settings across the U.S. IPPCA, Jones is particularly adamant that small distinction holds a world “We don’t call them swimming ponds about this point. In fact, the only offi- of importance. Weene is the head of because they’re not ponds,” Weene said cial statement the IPPCA ever released marketing and technical support at the of the BioNova NSPs. “They are swim- addressed this issue specifically, declar- North American branch of BioNova® ming pools, and therefore they are ing that any body of water built with Natural Pools. permitted as such, and therefore they are the “intention or anticipation of human According to the company’s website, also subject to all of the codes and regula- immersion” was not a pond at all, but BioNova® is “a global network of land- tions for safety and accessibility.” rather a pool — and should therefore scape professionals, contractors, and be subject to the codes inherent in that pool builders who work synergistically to Pool Codes: a Formidable distinction. Obstacle “To me, in the ideal world, swim “To me, in the ideal According to Weene, BioNova has and pond don’t go together,” Jones said. world, swim and pond not encountered prohibitively specific "Swimming pools is a whole different codes governing residential pools in industry than ponds. If you’re going to don’t go together.” North America that would prevent them promote these things, you’re adhering to from building NSPs. U.S. national building codes on pools. promote the state-of-the-art of Natural “When we’re approaching a munici- They would have to be a swimming pool.” Swimming Pool (NSP) design, construc- pality, we’re telling them that we’re Taylor agrees. tion, aesthetics and maintenance.” building a swimming pool. From what “Swim ponds fall under codes for swim- Weene said that the New Jersey-based we’ve encountered, they don’t really care ming pools,” he said. “Call them what you company and its global partners — there how you’re treating the water, whether want, they are vessels for which people are 94 of them in 44 countries — have it’s with chemicals or otherwise. An will be immersed and will be required constructed hundreds of residential and alternative sanitation system using UV to meet the swimming pool codes.” commercial NSPs around the world and or ozone … a natural swimming pool is

INCREASE YOUR MARGINS The first BioNova natural swimming pool in North America was installed in Nantucket, Mass. It feaures an infinity edge pool with partially BUILD YOUR OWN BRAND! separate regeneration zone. Photo Courtesy of BioNova Natural Pools. Supplying concentrates, bulk products & private label your voltage. And if by some accident, you probably shouldn’t say that it’s a swim balanced ponds for birds and wildlife … were to get a lightning strike, it could possi- pond because we do use submersible that people can swim in. Our wording can WATERGARDEN PRODUCTS LARGE POND PRODUCTS bly follow that copper wire into the pond.” pumps and such that aren’t rated for play a great role in the issues that we may Pond Bacteria - Liquid Pond Bacteria - Liquid swimming pool applications.” or may not face.” What’s in a Name? Pond Bacteria - Powder Pond Bacteria - Powder “I am neither an attorney nor a Not everyone sees the name distinc- Pond Bacteria - Water-Soluble Packets Pond Bacteria - Water-Soluble Packets Some pond professionals assert that as tion that way, however. Pond Bacteria - Dissolvable Tablets Pond Bacteria - Dissolving Tabs long as the pond is built and maintained “Anything we build that “Changing the name to something Pond Bacteria - Photosynthetic Pond Bacteria - Photosynthetic properly, the difference between a deco- other than ‘swim’ pond does not allevi- Pond Bacteria - Nitrifying Concentrated BLUE Lake Dye we know people are Water Conditioners Concentrated BLACK Lake Dye rative pond and a pond fit for swimming ate our culpability as professionals in the Barley Straw Extract Concentrated Defoamer is little more than semantics. going to swim in, we refer realm of true customer safety,” Taylor Flocculant (Water Clari!er) Concentrated Flocculant “Anything we build that we know to as a recreational pond said. “When a customer asks us to build Oxygen-Based Rock Cleaner Natural Phosphate Binder people are going to swim in, we refer to something, knowing the associated prob- Natural Phosphate Binder as a recreational pond rather than a swim rather than a swim pond.” lems, code violations and lack of proper Defoamer pond,” Pape said. “We always sort of put liability coverage, changing the name to Pond Dye a disclaimer that this is not approved politician,” Campbell said, “but I remove the word ‘swim’ to make a buck by certain aspects as a swimming pond, do know from experience that when is shady at best. If we are in fact profes- although we [Aquascape employees] all approaching the city for permits, wordage sionals, shouldn’t we be more concerned swim in all of our ponds all the time. used can be an important factor. We about the safety and well-being of the It’s one of those things where we’re don’t build swimming ponds! We build consumer than we are about being able totally comfortable in it, but legally we highly artistic and naturalistic, eco- to have a swim pond feather in our cap Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2508 36 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 37 neither of those things. By definition, a bather load (the minimum amount of the installation of a drinking fountain. the groundbreaking installation. “It is natural swimming pool is not sterile or water surface area required per bather). These are but a few of the explicit speci- going to be over 21,000 square feet disinfected in any way. But that doesn’t It dictates the allowable slope of the pool fications listed in Section 820.200 of the of swimming area with an additional really matter to the municipality from floor, the radius of junctions between code — and that’s without mentioning 16,000 square feet of planted regen- a residential standpoint. the extensive rules regard- eration zone and will support over In the residential sphere, ing electricity and chemi- 1,000 bathers per day.” there really isn’t any cal water treatment, which But how did BioNova crack the regulation or local juris- critics say are some of code, so to speak, and gain municipal diction that dictates how the most pressing points approval for a non-sterile public pool? a swimming pool can be against swim ponds. Like Illinois, Minnesota has extensive treated, as long as it’s for Perhaps due to this and specific laws governing public private use on your own exhaustive legislation, pools. Some sections of the Minnesota New from IKU KOI KICHI®! personal property.” until recently there was Administrative Rules even appear to Introducing a complete line of water Commercial pools, zero precedent for public prohibit non-chemically disinfected treatments in a variety of sizes: however, are a different natural pools on this conti- ! Bacteria Available in 8oz, 12oz, 16oz, animal. Most states impose Photo courtesy of nent. But that changed in “Once you get to the ! Cleaner 32oz, gallon and larger Aquascape Inc. formidable standards of August of this year, when commercial sector, there ! Conditioner Please visit the website for complete product information: mechanical and chemical BioNova began build- ! Clarifier function on commercial pools that few walls and the placement of depth markers. ing the first commercial, public natural are very strict regulations ! and more! ikukoikichi.com conventional ponds could meet. It requires the presence of a four-foot swimming pool in North America. Crews in terms of bather In the state where POND Trade deck surrounding the pool and dictates are currently working on the massive health and safety [and] is located, for instance, the General the materials with which the deck may project at Webber Park in Minneapolis. Assembly’s Illinois Administrative Code be covered. It requires a certain number “[The pool will be] 100% chemical- microbiological content.” lists detailed requirements for protective of ladders, steps and ramps and speci- free using BioNova proprietary biologi- enclosure walls, self-closing gates and fies their dimensions. It even mandates cal filtration technology,” Weene said of pools. Section 4717.1750 Subpart 3, for instance, sets guidelines for water (877) 412-FARM (3276) condition with regards to chlorine or other chemicals. Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2524 “When in use, a pool must be

continuously disinfected with a chem- ª

ical that imparts an easily measured, Serving Professionals in the Pond and Water Feature Industry US $6.95 free available residual,” the rules September/October 2013 read. (The Minnesota Administrative Read POND Trade Rules can be found on the website of ater W es Minnesota’s Office of the Revisor of Wolv Your pond’s most Magazine’s Serving Professionals in the Ponddangerous and Water Feature predators Industry — Statutes.) and how to stop them According to Weene, BioNova meets p. 39 1 Language of Koi - UtsurimonoPOND Trade Magazine ™ p. 32 Digital Edition or exceeds the legislative standards How to Succeed in Business by Being You No Ugly p.8 January/February 2014 September/OctoberDuckling 2013 imposed upon swimming pools simply POND US $6.95 by adhering to German FLL guidelines or POOL? Now you can read ALL issues swim pond — which, he claims, are as much as debate p.30 of POND Trade Magazine twice as stringent as U.S. EPA guide- right from your computer lines. Over 20,000 NSPs have been 2014 Business Calendar p.21 Toadally a screen or reader in three Frog! installed in Europe, he says, providing p.23 Wintering Your Koi p. 42 IWGS ™ Awards plenty of opportunities for study. p. 46 easy formats. Whether you

Serving Professionals in the Pond and Water Feature Industry US $6.95 “Once you get to the commercial November/December 2013 prefer Ebook, PDF, or Web sector, there are very strict regula- 2.0, you can get it here. tions in terms of bather health and safety [and] microbiological content,” Carpeting Pond pondtrademag.com/ the Weene said. “What we had to do for planting the city of Minneapolis was work shoreline reader Ponds forp. 44 Peace hand-in-hand with the municipal p. 38 Capital Purchases Historical p. 34 Asagi health department as well as the The PONICSp.14 Solution Illustration by Badfish Digital Studio department of parks and recreation to Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2561 Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2548 38 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 39 provide them with the empirical evidence number 7,332,082 is publicly available that, considering all of the scientific data “Ultimately it’s the installer been [zip lining] in her parents’ … the observed data from many years on the website of the U.S. Patent Office, against such an operation, it was even that the liability is coming down newly constructed swim pond, of research at public natural swimming it falls far short of providing a recipe for approved. Surely, the health professionals on,” Pape said. “So if there’s any don’t you think they would be About the Author pool installations in Europe, showing recreating BioNova’s proprietary system. were asked to weigh in. BioNova has been risk or chance of a problem, you suing that contractor for every- that the treatment of the water using “Our patent is the hydraulics; fighting for years to get established in the have to err on the side of caution.” thing he’s got? As a serious Peter Celauro greatly enjoys his role purely biological processes is capable of the proprietary equipment, and the U.S. and this is definitely a make-or-break Jones says that regardless of professional, I’ve got no business as editor of POND Trade Magazine. While his journalism project for them and NSPs in general. one’s personal views on swimming subjecting people to health risks chops greatly outweigh his pond “Let me clarify one thing,” he added. in ponds, a professional must put when I know what the possible knowledge, he finds the field rife “I am not declaring that all NSPs are the safety of the customer first. risks are. You’ve got to weigh the with natural beauty and is thrilled unsafe. It is that I have yet to see any “There’s a big difference cons as well as the pros. In my to be learning so much from such scientific proof offered by BioNova … between doing something for opinion, a responsible profes- fascinating and knowledgeable to prove that they are safe.” yourself as a homeowner and sional would say, ‘Thanks, but people. doing it as a professional for pay,” no thanks. I’m not doing that.’” An avid writer, editor and If Legislation could Kill he said. “I’ve gone swimming in Time will tell if Jones’ opinion web designer based in Clarendon Hills, Ill., Peter To some, a third potential impact of lakes and ponds myself as a kid becomes the law. In the mean- spent four years honing his craft at Pepperdine the swim pond trend is the most concern- growing up. I’ve got a picture of time, swim ponds and natural University and continued his studies at NYU’s ing of all: unnecessary, crippling legisla- my son snorkeling, playing peek- swimming pools still occupy Summer Publishing Institute. tion of non-swim ponds. If swim ponds a-boo with the koi in our front a unique legal middle ground. When not devouring pond articles like a koi in springtime, Peter serves as the marketing manager continue to gain popularity, the same pond just before his seventh Their future — and that of our kind of rules that regulate pools could be for a group of electronics companies in Chicago’s birthday. But this was my son, industry — has yet to be decided. western suburbs and the creator and editor-in-chief brought to bear on all pond installations on my property, in my pond, in Until then, the responsibility for of Digital Literary Magazine. … with catastrophic results. my yard. professional and ethical build- Peter is still beaming after marrying his soulmate “The more we push the envelope, “Professionally speaking,” he ing practices rests heavily on the in 2012 and harbors a passionate (but unrequited) the more exposure we have to call in the added, “if Aimee Copeland had shoulders of our readers. love of golf. governing bodies for increased regulation,” Taylor said. “If [swim ponds] are not built according to swimming pool codes, A hybrid NSP in Princeton, N.J. with gunite construction, pebble finish, and beach entry. then they will bring more and more scru- Aquatic plants include cattails, American Lotus and pickerel weed. Photo courtesy of Bi- tiny into our midst.” 100% NATURAL oNova Dealer Partner Rin Robyn Pools. Jones agreed. providing water that is safe and healthy controlled, directed flow through our “Basically, you’re going to end up for bathing. Specifically, citing analysis biological fine filters, the planted regen- with ponds that aren’t going to be over Protect Your Pond reports where the microbiological bacte- eration zone, and recirculation of that 12 inches deep,” he said. “They’re going this AUTUMN AND WINTER rial indicator limits were never reached or water between the regeneration zone, to have to be qualified as ‘wading pools.’ exceeded over the complete season of use mechanical equipment and the swim- We don’t need that kind of crap shoved in these swimming pools. ming area,” Weene explained. “All of down our throats building ponds.” Microbe-Lift Legacy “That was really a very challeng- our natural swimming pool installations Most frightening of all is Pape’s Autumn Winter Prep Cold Weather ing hurdle to get over,” Weene contin- adhere to that patent.” doomsday scenario. Winterizing Kit for ued. “However, BioNova — specifically Whatever the specifics of the system “I’m sure they — they being whatever Koi & Goldfish Food with Larger Ponds is the best Wheat Germ is the best our [president and CEO], James Robyn may be, the results were enough to satisfy governmental agency — will over-regulate product for keeping your food for fall feeding and FDA — is the only person in North America the city of Minneapolis. The grand it and probably force us to use external pond balanced and clean approved so your fish will who’s qualified to have that kind of a opening of the pool is scheduled for pumps,” he said. “Probably right down to during the cold months! not have to expend more conversation with a municipality or a August 2014. some sort of chlorination treatment which Includes bacteria and cel- energy than they build up. health department, in terms of working will totally defeat the purpose of a pond.” lulase enzymes to break The cold water diet is made on getting new legislation drafted for one A High-Profile Test Case down leaves that get with lesser amounts of through pond nets. of these public natural swimming pools to Not everyone considers the matter Professional Responsibility protein and contains wheat germ which is easily be permitted.” settled, however — particularly pond While the debate over swim ponds Safe for humans, fish and plant life, and is 100% safe digested and also contains a BioNova is no stranger to overcoming professionals. and natural swimming pools continues to groundwater! higher level of fats. MicrobeLift.com hurdles; the company holds the only “This project will be the test case for to rage with no decisive end in sight, U.S. and Canada patent for the biologi- NSPs,” Meyer Jordan said of the Webber nearly everyone involved agrees on one /microbeliftproducts cal filtration of swimming pool water — Park pool. “I am afraid that there will be thing: the serious need for common sense @microbelift Providing Environmental Solutions Since 1976 You /microbeliftproducts a system invented by BioNova founder an incident. No way to tell the magni- and professional responsibility through- Gerhard Brandlmaier. While patent tude of the incident. I am really amazed out the industry. Request info at www.pondtrademag.com/infocard #2544 40 POND Trade Magazine pondtrademag.com January/February 2014 POND Trade Magazine 41