Setting The Standard
Helpful Resources
Where to find more information about pools, hot tubs, wellness and outdoor living .
Organizations
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA)
PHTA is the largest member association in the aquatics industry. It’s an amalgamation of the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP). The Alliance is an umbrella organization for the foundation (now called The Pool & Hot Tub Foundation) and trade association (now called The Pool & Hot Tub Professionals Association). The organization provides educational services to members and the public. Under the banner, “Celebrate water,” PHTA promotes both water safety and enjoyment through public outreach efforts. They offer books, online courses, training and certification programs for aquatic professionals.
Watershape University
Watershape University is the leading organization for an elite group of pool professionals who design and build custom pools, spas, fountains, ponds, landscapes, and outdoor living areas. The organization provides extensive education, testing and credentialing for its members. Founded August 23, 2019, Watershape University is led by some of the industry’s most creative and best-known designers, builders and teachers of custom water installations.
National Plasterers Council (NPC)
NPC is considered the authority for in-ground swimming pool and spa “interior surface applicators” (plasterers), material manufacturers, suppliers and distributors. These are the skilled craftsmen and suppliers who create the smooth surfaces of custom shotcrete (gunite) pools and spas.
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
ACI committees develop the standards and building codes for various industries. For the in-ground pool industry, ACI Committee 318 is responsible for Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, which includes both cast-in-place and shotcrete (gunite) placement methods. In general, vinyl lined concrete pools are built using the cast-in-place method. Custom plaster and tile finished pools use the shotcrete (gunite) method.
American Shotcrete Association (ASA)
ASA participates in the ACI committees and produces their own Position Statements regarding best practices for shotcrete operations. It’s a good place to learn about this important concrete application method. You can also learn more about the differences between wet-mix shotcrete and dry-mix shotcrete (also called gunite).
Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)
The APLD sets the standards for the best design practices and installation methods for all things landscape. Their Awards page is an excellent place to find beautiful landscape designs and innovative projects.
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA has long been the organization that sets the bar for the best in architecture, design and construction. It’s certainly the largest and most influential organization serving architects and designers. Their annual AIA Home Design Trends Survey (HDTS) provides insights into current trends in home design.
Publications
WaterShapes Newsletter and Magazine
These publications are a good source of information and serve as a highly professional journal for pool, spa and outdoor living designers and builders. The articles are written by leading experts and encompasses everything to do with water and wellness. The WaterShapes magazine has been published for more than 25 years and is now part of the Watershape University. You can find every issue of the magazine online, going back to 1999. Subscribe to receive the free magazine and newsletter via email.
Landscape Architect Magazine
From yard to fountain to pool, this magazine covers the whole outdoor environment. If you’re interested in the best designs, you’ll find this publication more informative than most pool magazines.
Luxury Pools
Luxury Pools is a coffee table magazine filled with pictures of award-winning projects. It’s a good place to go if you’re looking for inspiration.
Pool and Spa News
If you want to keep up with the events and issues in the industry, this is a good place to start.
Aqua Magazine
This is another trade magazine covering industry news. It’s also a place to find lots of ads from pool and hot tub suppliers.