How to improve data analysis from pool samples…

Running a major leisure facility or a chain of swimming pools entails a great deal of administration and reporting, covering HR, security, procurement, maintenance and much more.

A key task for any operator in the recreational water sector is the collation and analysis of testing data from pool samples. Swimming pool and spa operators are legally required to protect the health and safety of workers and pool users, and must comply with regulatory requirements: gathering good quality, accurate data from pool water testing is a key component in helping them to do so. By analysing this data, operators should be equipped to make informed decisions on operations, from shutting off pools for cleaning to addressing pool maintenance issues. And when it comes to public safety, the sooner they can make these decisions, the better. However, data analysis and reporting isn’t without its challenges.

The use of different methods to record data across an organisation can make it difficult to collate the data: it will mean more administrative steps for staff, as they compile the data into a single accessible report.

In addition, using paper logs to manually record data can lead to inaccurate reporting, as this process is more at risk from human error. This can have serious consequences for any organisation which needs to gain a true understanding of the water quality in its swimming pools and spas, in order to ensure public and staff safety. Imagine the impact of a chlorine level being reported as higher than its true level at a busy swimming pool, for several days…

Inconsistencies in staff training can also affect the quality of data. If a team member responsible for water testing has received only limited training on how to interpret and report results, this can result in errors that call the reliability of data into question.

Manually collating and analysing test results can also divert a team’s time away from their core tasks, and drain the resources of skilled staff, who could be making a greater impact on the business in their core roles.
For a large, multi-site organisation, the challenges of data analysis and reporting can be even greater, as testing data from multiple pool samples across the group will need to be collated and analysed.

So how can the challenges of data analysis and reporting be overcome?

The solution is our cloud-based data management software, Palintest Connect, which allows staff to upload test results easily from their Palintest instrument, and gives operators a simple way of viewing and managing water quality data.

The software is used with Palintest’s Lumiso Pooltest Expert multi-parameter benchtop photometer, and our Lumiso Pooltest 3, 4 and 8 handheld photometers, and makes data collection a simple, straightforward process. Data can be accessed at any time, anywhere, from any device, and it’s easy to view test results and create reports, which can be monitored over time.

So what are the advantages of Palintest Connect for reporting and data analysis?

Centralisation and collaboration

Palintest Connect centralises data and enables multiple users to be connected – for instance, data from all of the facilities in a leisure chain can be centralised. This allows operators to create heatmaps and identify problem areas and trends more rapidly.

Users can even create collaboration groups to share and monitor test results, further helping to build up a picture of water quality across their facilities.

Warning and informing

The software enables operators to set up alert notifications which can be triggered when certain levels, such as a specific concentration of chlorine in a swimming pool, are reached. These notifications can also be linked to data patterns: for instance if pH levels are starting to change in a particular pool after a certain time of the day, it may indicate that additional sunlight is altering the pH level of the pool, so operators may need to adjust chlorine doses.

By giving operators the ability to collate and interrogate data more rapidly, Palintest Connect shortens the gap between data reporting and action, so they can move more swifty to protect public health (for instance by temporarily closing a swimming pool). In addition, the ease with which users can analyse data – and confidence in its accuracy – makes it easier for operators to make informed decisions on areas such as contamination control, equipment, staff resource and maintenance.

No more reams of paper records…

By using our Lumiso instruments with Palintest Connect, operators in the recreational water sector can eliminate the need for the manual recording of data on paper logs, freeing up staff resources, and minimising the risk of human error. In addition, the simplicity with which results can be uploaded from Lumiso instruments via Palintest Connect means that little required for this process.
Palintest has helped numerous swimming pool operators to become more efficient in recording and analysing data from pool samples. If your organisation needs help in taking the complexity out of these processes, and gaining an improved understanding of the water quality at your facilities, contact our team.