Ecozen Pools + Landscapes has recently become the first concrete pool builder in Australia to receive the Climate Care Certification. Tristan Lott spoke with Sean Lynch, founder and managing director of The Ecozen Group, to learn more about the Climate Care Certification and how Ecozen Pools + Landscapes is pioneering eco-conscious pool design.
A new benchmark for swimming pools and spas, the Climate Care Certification endorses companies, services and products that utilise water- and energy-efficient, noise reduction and environmentally sustainable technology. There is a stringent application process, which includes third party verification and compliance to relevant regulations or codes. Pool and spa builders, designers and other technicians must meet between four and seven criteria based on the size of the pool, including rainwater tanks, overflow storage, LED lighting, and pool covers meeting SPASA guidelines. Once certified pool professionals can display the CCC logo, benefiting from the trusted and renowned SPASA name, and are listed on an online register.
The new Climate Care Certification offered by SPASA is a reflection of the strides many in the pool industry have taken to incorporate environmentally friendly materials and systems into their practice to reflect growing societal concerns and client demand. “Our community is now more educated about the impact we have on our planet and with this awareness comes a responsibility to do our share to preserve our natural environment,” Lynch says.
“When designing a pool and landscape space, clients now want to achieve a green design.”
HOW HAS ECOZEN POOLS + LANDSCAPES PROMOTED SUSTAINABILITY IN POOL DESIGN?
SL: We specialise in providing our clients complete ecosmart pool and landscape packages. All of our swimming pools come with the latest energy efficient variable speed pool pumps as standard. These variable speed pumps will reduce your power consumption by over 70 percent when compared to a standard pool pump. Having an eco-smart pool will save you money while reducing your impact on the environment.
Our swimming pools are either mineral or fresh water. They do not require harsh chemicals and are soft on the skin and eyes when swimming. Best of all, they cost less to run and maintain. The water from your eco-smart pool can even be used on the garden when backwashing, therefore, our freshwater pools are an ideal solution for you and the environment.
At Ecozen, we offer carbon offset on all our projects to make the entire construction a carbon-neutral process. As a result, the carbon offset program is unique to Ecozen and one we can provide to our clients at no
extra cost … we are proud partners and members of the Carbon Neutral Plant A Tree Program. This is an Australian company which offers all Ecozen clients the option to carbon offset their pool construction via their native bush regeneration programs.
CAN YOU RUN US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING AND RECEIVING THE CERTIFICATION?
The process generally required us to show SPASA [that] the design and construction principles we apply as well as the equipment we use is all in line with their Climate Care Certification criteria.
This SPASA program was initially only for pool equipment suppliers, but we lobbied to have concrete pool builders included in the program and we worked closely with SPASA to have our sector of the industry included.
Rhiannon Royall is one of my management team in Brisbane and credit must go to her and Luke Daly from SPASA Australia as they put this accreditation process together for concrete pool builders to be certified with this program. By leading the industry and forging the
path for concrete pool builders to be accredited and not just equipment suppliers, we believe we have made the pathway a little easier for the next concrete pool builder to achieve this accreditation in the future.
DID ECOZEN POOLS + LANDSCAPES HAVE TO CHANGE ANY OF ITS PRACTICES TO FULFIL THE CRITERIA FOR CLIMATE CARE CERTIFICATION?
Ecozen Pools + Landscapes has been the industry leader in offering eco-smart pool design and construction for many years. We were the first concrete pool builder in Australia to receive the SPASA Climate Care accreditation this year and we are very proud of our leadership in this sector. We were able to achieve this accreditation before anyone else in the industry because our design and construction practices were already in line with the SPASA criteria. We have encouraged and lobbied governing bodies throughout the construction industry of Australia to work with us in promoting these eco-smart construction policies. We applaud and commend SPASA Australia for working with us in promoting these principles in the pool building sector today for tomorrow’s generations.
“The new SPASA Climate Care Certification offers pool buyers an easy to use guide to the highest levels of current best practices in the pool market.”
WHAT PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS DO YOU INCORPORATE IN YOUR CLIMATE CARE CERTIFIED POOLS, AND HOW DO THEY PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY?
The new SPASA Climate Care Certification offers pool buyers an easy to use guide to the highest levels of current best practices in the pool market. To achieve CCC, quality pool builders need to demonstrate a dedicated implementation of the latest eco-friendly technology at every level of the design and build process.
For us at Ecozen Pools, it was an easy process, as we have been doing this as our standard for clients since our conception 21 years ago. The ‘eco’ in Ecozen pools is an intentional statement of our vision to offer sustainable options for eco smart pool construction. We are always proudly the leaders in the latest eco and technological advancements in pool building.
As part of our CCC, all our pools include energy-efficient pumps, glass media filters, robotic pool cleaners, curved piping, LED pool lights and solar blankets. Our supply partners Waterco and Sunbather have made the process of obtaining certification easy for us, as they have already achieved CCC for many of their products
ARE THERE ANY LIMITS WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGNING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POOL?
Simply no. The added cost of adopting eco smart, energy-efficient technology was previously a hurdle to clients incorporating it into their projects [but] we have knocked this obstacle out of the equation by offering our clients the latest eco smart operating systems on their pools, spas, water features and landscapes at no extra cost. The question we put to our clients during the design phase is, “why wouldn’t you build with us when we can offer you the latest technology that significantly reduces both your ongoing operating costs and your environmental footprint, at no extra cost?”
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY POOL THAT IS ALSO LOW-MAINTENANCE? IF SO, WHAT KINDS OF SYSTEMS DO YOU RECOMMEND?
We proudly promote the Naked Freshwater System to all our clients because we believe in the simplicity of the product and what it achieves. For many years I have promoted both the significant cost and environmental benefits in using freshwater pool operating systems. They require less chemicals, less electricity, less maintenance which all directly reduces your environmental footprint, your electricity costs and your upkeep time on the pool. Putting all these significant advantages to one side, swimming in a freshwater pool is better for your health and creates a more refreshing swimming experience for you and your family to enjoy.
Maintaining a pool requires energy for heating, water consumption, and chemicals for cleaning, so it’s not surprising that pools aren’t often associated with sustainability. Modern pool design is veering away from this notion and introducing sustainable features as common practice. SPASA’s Climate Care Certification is the new benchmark for environmentally conscious pool professionals. From cleaning and filtration systems, to covers and pool builders, the Climate Care online directory showcases the best of Australia’s sustainable pool industry. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your new pool, contact Climate Care Certified professionals like Sean Lynch and the Ecozen Pools + Landscapes team.
