Rising operational costs remain one of the most persistent challenges facing aquatic facilities. Increasing energy prices, maintenance demands and pressure on staff resources are driving the need for more efficient, reliable solutions. As operators look to maintain high water quality while reducing expenditure, taking control of these factors has become essential. Greg Manier, UV product specialist at Xylem, explores how new advanced water treatment technologies can play a critical role in reducing operational costs, minimising maintenance, and supporting energy efficiency.
The cost challenge
Today, aquatic facilities operate in an increasingly complex environment. Energy prices continue to fluctuate, often trending upward, while expectations around water quality, safety and sustainability are higher than ever. At the same time, staffing shortages and tighter budgets are forcing operators to do more with less.
When it comes to ensuring water quality, traditional water treatment systems can be resource intensive. They often require frequent manual intervention, high chemical usage, and significant energy input. Over time, these factors contribute to rising operational costs and increased strain on facility teams.
To address these challenges, many operators are re-evaluating their approach to water treatment. The focus is shifting from reactive maintenance to proactive and technology-driven solutions that improve efficiency across the board.
Advanced water treatment technologies offer a more intelligent way to manage pool systems. By automating key processes and optimising performance, these systems reduce the need for manual oversight while maintaining consistent water quality.
The importance of innovation
The right technology has never been more critical, and this requires ongoing innovation. Xylem’s new Wafer UV system is a great example of this. The Wafer UV system has long been an important UV technology for the aquatics market thanks to its high performance and compact design. Engineers have now developed an upgrade that delivers enhanced performance and operational efficiency, while also being lighter, simpler to install, faster to maintain, more intelligent, and easier to use. This is the result of listening to our customers and investing in development of an even better version of the technology that works alongside the realities of businesses today.
One stand out feature of the newer model is higher lamp power, which increases flow capacity by up to 33% on select models. Then the new stainless-steel automatic wiper brushes to better resist fouling means more consistent performance over the system’s lifetime and extended service intervals. Together, the new enhancements can make a real, measurable difference to the operation of aquatics facilities, in terms of time and cost savings, plus improved sustainability – this is key as energy consumption is one of the largest expenses for most facilities.
A smarter path forward
Investing in UV as an advanced water treatment technology is no longer just an option – it is becoming a necessity for facilities looking to remain competitive and sustainable, while meeting new regulatory requirements. By improving energy efficiency, reducing maintenance requirements, and optimising chemical use, these systems offer a clear pathway to lower operational costs without compromising on water quality or safety.
While choosing the right technology solution for an aquatic facility can feel like a minefield, working with the right partner – with industry expertise and experience – will mitigate risk. This partner can also ensure you select technology which has been third party validated, so you can be confident the system will deliver what it promises.
For operators navigating today’s challenges, the message is clear: smarter systems lead to smarter savings.
