Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A lot of residential pool techs learn water chemistry the hard way: a few rules of thumb, a few opinions from the internet, and a lot of costly guessing when something won’t clear up. We wanted to change that conversation, so we brought Terry Arko back on to share real news about a new training rollout that preserves Bob Lowry’s legacy while making it easier for today’s pool service pros to actually use.
We dig into why Bob Lowry’s Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) mattered so much for the backyard pool professional, especially in a world where CPO certification is aimed at commercial operations. Terry explains how HASA took on the responsibility of maintaining and expanding that residential pool care education, and how the growth of on-demand learning (including the influence of Orenda’s education approach) helped shape the new direction. The goal is simple: practical pool chemistry training that’s clear, relatable, and built for what you see on route.
Then we get into the big update: HASA is filming 14 short training videos based on Bob’s residential material, followed by a quiz and a certification. We also talk about the specific concepts that make this training worth your time, including cyanuric acid (CYA) and chlorine effectiveness, water balance and LSI for residential pools, the importance of free chlorine over combined chlorine, and how understanding buffering and source water can help you save chemicals while keeping pools more stable.
If you want smarter, simpler pool chemistry that you can apply immediately, listen through and keep an eye out for the video series dropping on the HASA site. Subscribe, share this with a tech who needs it, and leave a review so more pool pros can find the training they’ve been missing.
We share breaking news on a new HASA-hosted training series that brings Bob Lowry’s residential pool chemistry teachings back in a modern format. We also talk through why practical, poolside chemistry education matters and how techs can access certification-style learning again.
• the training gap between residential pool service and commercial certification paths
• Bob Lowry’s teaching style and why it resonates with backyard pool pros
• how HASA and Orenda help expand access to pool chemistry education
• why the condensed two-hour format works better for many techs
• what to expect from the 14 short videos, quiz, and certification
• the downside of overly theoretical instruction and the value of usable concepts
• key chemistry topics like CYA, free chlorine, combined chlorine, LSI, source water, and buffering
Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. Email Terry Arko at terryarko@hasa.com. You can also learn more about the coaching program they offer at PoolGuyCoaching.com.
Send us Fan Mail (buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
hasa.com/hasa-app
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
store.thebottomfeeder.com
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
A lot of residential pool techs learn water chemistry the hard way: a few rules of thumb, a few opinions from the internet, and a lot of costly guessing when something won’t clear up. We wanted to change that conversation, so we brought Terry Arko back on to share real news about a new training rollout that preserves Bob Lowry’s legacy while making it easier for today’s pool service pros to actually use.
We dig into why Bob Lowry’s Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) mattered so much for the backyard pool professional, especially in a world where CPO certification is aimed at commercial operations. Terry explains how HASA took on the responsibility of maintaining and expanding that residential pool care education, and how the growth of on-demand learning (including the influence of Orenda’s education approach) helped shape the new direction. The goal is simple: practical pool chemistry training that’s clear, relatable, and built for what you see on route.
Then we get into the big update: HASA is filming 14 short training videos based on Bob’s residential material, followed by a quiz and a certification. We also talk about the specific concepts that make this training worth your time, including cyanuric acid (CYA) and chlorine effectiveness, water balance and LSI for residential pools, the importance of free chlorine over combined chlorine, and how understanding buffering and source water can help you save chemicals while keeping pools more stable.
If you want smarter, simpler pool chemistry that you can apply immediately, listen through and keep an eye out for the video series dropping on the HASA site. Subscribe, share this with a tech who needs it, and leave a review so more pool pros can find the training they’ve been missing.
We share breaking news on a new HASA-hosted training series that brings Bob Lowry’s residential pool chemistry teachings back in a modern format. We also talk through why practical, poolside chemistry education matters and how techs can access certification-style learning again.
• the training gap between residential pool service and commercial certification paths
• Bob Lowry’s teaching style and why it resonates with backyard pool pros
• how HASA and Orenda help expand access to pool chemistry education
• why the condensed two-hour format works better for many techs
• what to expect from the 14 short videos, quiz, and certification
• the downside of overly theoretical instruction and the value of usable concepts
• key chemistry topics like CYA, free chlorine, combined chlorine, LSI, source water, and buffering
Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. Email Terry Arko at terryarko@hasa.com. You can also learn more about the coaching program they offer at PoolGuyCoaching.com.
Send us Fan Mail (buzzsprout.com/110832/fan_mail/new)
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA REWARDS App
hasa.com/hasa-app
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
store.thebottomfeeder.com
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Support the show (buzzsprout.com/110832/support)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
