Swimming Pool Maintenance and Operations Course
Master every aspect of pool maintenance and operations, from water chemistry and filtration to heating systems and safety compliance. This course gives you the hands-on knowledge to keep any pool clean, safe, and running efficiently. Whether you're starting a service career or managing a facility, you'll finish ready to handle it all.
What your team will master:
You'll learn how pool circulation, filtration, and sanitation systems work together to maintain safe, clear water. The course covers water chemistry in depth, including pH, alkalinity, chlorine dosing, and calcium hardness, so you can make accurate adjustments every time. You'll develop practical skills for servicing pumps, filters, and heaters, and you'll know how to diagnose problems before they become costly repairs. Safety procedures, chemical handling, and regulatory compliance are covered throughout. You'll also explore seasonal operations, energy efficiency, and algae control strategies used by working pool professionals.
How your team learns in practice Swimming Pool Maintenance and Operations Course
How your team practices Swimming Pool Maintenance and Operations Course
Professionals from these companies study at Dedika
Course Content
8 Chapters • 40 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)
Chapter 1HideHide detailsSee detailsFoundations of Pool Systems
Foundations of Pool Systems
Lesson 1 • Water Circulation Fundamentals
Explains how water moves through a pool system and why proper flow is essential to sanitation. Connects hydraulic principles to equipment selection.
Lesson 2 • Pool Types and Structural Components
Covers in-ground, above-ground, and commercial pool designs and their structural materials. Provides the vocabulary needed for all subsequent technical chapters.
Lesson 3 • Pumps and Motors Basics
Describes pump types, motor ratings, and the relationship between horsepower and flow. Prepares students for troubleshooting and energy-efficiency topics.
Lesson 4 • Filtration System Overview
Introduces sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth filters and their operating principles. Sets the stage for detailed maintenance procedures in later chapters.
Lesson 5 • Industry Standards and Regulations
Surveys health codes, safety standards, and operator certification requirements applicable to public and residential pools. Establishes the compliance mindset carried throughout the course.
Chapter 2HideHide detailsSee detailsWater Chemistry Principles
Water Chemistry Principles
Lesson 1 • Calcium Hardness and Saturation
Covers calcium hardness, the Langelier Saturation Index, and the consequences of scaling or corrosion. Connects water balance theory to equipment longevity.
Lesson 2 • pH and Total Alkalinity
Explains the pH scale, its effect on sanitizer efficiency, and how alkalinity buffers pH. Directly supports the dosing decisions taught in Chapter 3.
Lesson 3 • Total Dissolved Solids and Water Balance
Addresses TDS accumulation, its impact on water clarity and equipment, and when dilution is necessary. Ties all chemistry parameters into a unified balance concept.
Lesson 4 • Cyanuric Acid and Stabilization
Explains how cyanuric acid protects chlorine from UV degradation and the risks of over-stabilization. Prepares students to manage stabilizer levels in outdoor pools.
Lesson 5 • Sanitizers and Disinfection Chemistry
Examines chlorine, bromine, and alternative sanitizers at the molecular level. Provides the chemical foundation for the dosing and shock procedures in Chapter 3.
Chapter 3HideHide detailsSee detailsChemical Testing and Dosing
Chemical Testing and Dosing
Lesson 1 • Chlorine Dosing and Shock Treatment
Teaches calculation of chlorine doses for routine maintenance and breakpoint chlorination. Builds on the sanitizer chemistry introduced in Chapter 2.
Lesson 2 • pH and Alkalinity Adjustment
Covers the use of acids and bases to correct pH and alkalinity imbalances. Reinforces the buffering relationship explained in Chapter 2.
Lesson 3 • Testing Methods and Equipment
Compares test kits, test strips, and digital photometers for accuracy and field use. Establishes reliable testing habits that underpin every dosing decision.
Lesson 4 • Chemical Safety and Handling
Establishes safe storage, mixing, and disposal practices for all pool chemicals. Directly reduces the risk of accidents covered in the safety chapter.
Lesson 5 • Algaecides and Specialty Chemicals
Introduces algaecide types, metal sequestrants, clarifiers, and enzymes and their correct application. Prepares students to address common water quality problems beyond basic chemistry.
Chapter 4HideHide detailsSee detailsFiltration and Circulation Maintenance
Filtration and Circulation Maintenance
Lesson 1 • Cartridge and DE Filter Servicing
Covers cartridge cleaning, DE recharging, and grid inspection for tears or damage. Extends filter knowledge to the two remaining filter types.
Lesson 2 • Variable-Speed Pump Programming
Explains programming RPM schedules, turnover compliance, and energy savings on variable-speed pumps. Connects energy efficiency to regulatory and operational goals.
Lesson 3 • Pump and Strainer Basket Service
Teaches pump strainer cleaning, lid O-ring lubrication, and impeller inspection. Ensures students can maintain flow without damaging pump components.
Lesson 4 • Diagnosing Poor Water Clarity
Provides a systematic approach to identifying causes of cloudy or green water using flow, chemistry, and filter data. Integrates skills from Chapters 2, 3, and 4.
Lesson 5 • Sand Filter Maintenance Procedures
Details backwashing frequency, multiport valve operation, and sand replacement schedules. Builds directly on the filter overview from Chapter 1.
Chapter 5HideHide detailsSee detailsPool Safety and Emergency Procedures
Pool Safety and Emergency Procedures
Lesson 1 • Chemical Hazard Management
Addresses risks from chlorine gas, acid fumes, and oxidizer fires in storage and handling areas. Reinforces and expands the chemical safety content from Chapter 3.
Lesson 2 • Drowning Prevention and Response
Covers active supervision strategies, recognition of drowning signs, and the chain of survival for aquatic emergencies. Equips students to act decisively before professional responders arrive.
Lesson 3 • Electrical Safety at Pool Sites
Identifies electrical hazards unique to aquatic environments, including bonding, grounding, and GFCI protection. Prepares students to inspect and maintain safe electrical systems.
Lesson 4 • Aquatic Facility Safety Standards
Reviews drain entrapment prevention, barrier requirements, and bather load limits mandated by health authorities. Grounds safety practices in regulatory requirements introduced in Chapter 1.
Lesson 5 • Incident Documentation and Reporting
Teaches proper completion of incident reports, near-miss logs, and regulatory notifications. Connects documentation to liability management and continuous safety improvement.
Chapter 6HideHide detailsSee detailsPool Heating Systems
Pool Heating Systems
Lesson 1 • Heat Pump Systems
Explains refrigerant-cycle heating, COP ratings, and ambient temperature limitations of heat pumps. Prepares students to advise on heater selection for different climates.
Lesson 2 • Gas Heater Operation and Maintenance
Covers combustion principles, heat exchanger inspection, and burner tray cleaning for gas heaters. Establishes safe operating practices for the most common commercial heater type.
Lesson 3 • Solar Heating Systems
Describes solar collector types, diverter valve operation, and controller programming for solar systems. Connects renewable energy concepts to practical pool heating decisions.
Lesson 4 • Heater Sizing and Efficiency
Teaches BTU calculations, heat loss factors, and cover use to optimize heater sizing and runtime. Directly reduces operating costs and extends equipment life.
Lesson 5 • Heater Troubleshooting and Safety
Provides diagnostic steps for ignition failures, error codes, and water flow faults across heater types. Reinforces safety protocols for working with gas and electrical systems.
Chapter 7HideHide detailsSee detailsPool Sanitation and Algae Control
Pool Sanitation and Algae Control
Lesson 1 • Algae Biology and Prevention
Examines green, black, and mustard algae life cycles and the conditions that promote growth. Provides the biological basis for the prevention strategies that follow.
Lesson 2 • Phosphate Management
Explains phosphate sources, testing, and removal using phosphate removers. Directly supports algae prevention by eliminating a key nutrient.
Lesson 3 • Spa and Hot Tub Sanitation
Covers the elevated sanitation demands of spas due to high temperature, bather load, and aeration. Extends core sanitation principles to a distinct aquatic environment.
Lesson 4 • Biofilm and Bacterial Contamination
Addresses biofilm formation in pipes and on surfaces, and the risks posed by Pseudomonas and Legionella. Connects microbiology to practical sanitation routines.
Lesson 5 • Algae Treatment Protocols
Details step-by-step treatment sequences for each algae type, including brushing, shocking, and algaecide application. Builds on dosing skills from Chapter 3.
Chapter 8HideHide detailsSee detailsSeasonal Operations and Long-Term Management
Seasonal Operations and Long-Term Management
Lesson 1 • Preventive Maintenance Scheduling
Establishes daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance task schedules for all pool systems. Reduces reactive repairs by embedding proactive habits into operations.
Lesson 2 • Operational Budgeting and Cost Control
Teaches how to estimate chemical, energy, and labor costs and identify savings opportunities. Prepares students for the financial management responsibilities of a pool operator role.
Lesson 3 • Pool Opening Procedures
Details the step-by-step process for removing covers, restoring equipment, and balancing water at season start. Integrates chemistry, filtration, and equipment skills from all prior chapters.
Lesson 4 • Winterization and Pool Closing
Covers chemical winterization, water level adjustment, and equipment blowout to prevent freeze damage. Applies to both partial and full winterization scenarios.
Lesson 5 • Water Conservation Strategies
Identifies evaporation, backwash, and splash-out as major water loss sources and presents mitigation techniques. Connects conservation to cost reduction and environmental responsibility.
Your valid completion certificate
This course is for you:
Aspiring pool technicians: ready to turn a trade interest into a career.
Residential pool owners: tired of guessing and paying for avoidable service calls.
Facility managers: responsible for aquatic amenities at hotels, gyms, or schools.
Career changers: seeking a skilled trade with steady, year-round local demand.
Groundskeeping staff: expanding their role to include pool and spa responsibilities.
New pool service employees: needing structured knowledge to back up on-the-job experience.
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