Banana Leaves in Pools

What happens when tragedy strikes at a water park, and who bears the ultimate responsibility? In this raw and unfiltered episode of Talking Pools Podcast, industry professionals dive deep into a heartbreaking drowning case that raises critical questions about water safety, facility management, and the hidden costs of pool maintenance that every pool owner should know about.

The El Paso Water Park Tragedy: A Complex Case of Responsibility

The hosts examined a devastating incident from May 2023 at Camp Cohen Water Park in El Paso, Texas, where three-year-old Anthony Leo Malave drowned during the facility's soft opening. While initial reports suggested parental negligence, the case reveals a more complex web of institutional failures.

According to the defense attorney's evidence, the water park was severely understaffed and mismanaged on the day of the incident. The most shocking revelation was how staff priorities were allocated:

They intentionally and knowingly prioritize the concessions and entertainment over the safety of guests at the water park... with many lifeguards and upper management working in the kitchen, frying churros, refilling sour cream or serving drinks instead of watching over lifeguards and or park attendees.

— Defense Attorney Ryan S. McLeod, as quoted in Talking Pools Podcast

The testimony revealed that a 17-year-old lifeguard working his first day discovered Anthony floating and blew his whistle, but the kitchen noise was too loud for anyone to hear the emergency signals. This tragic detail underscores how operational decisions can have life-or-death consequences in aquatic facilities.

When Safety Equipment Falls Short

One of the most disturbing aspects of this case involves the basic safety equipment that should be standard at any aquatic facility. The defense revealed that the water park was short on life jackets and wouldn't allow patrons to bring their own safety equipment. Even more troubling was the facility's response to the emergency itself.

When a medical doctor offered to help with life-saving measures, he was turned away due to company policy. As the attorney pointed out, this raises serious questions about emergency protocols:

How Mrs. Weaver was going to be permitted to perform CPR when a medical doctor wasn't permitted to perform CPR.

— Defense Attorney Ryan S. McLeod, as quoted in Talking Pools Podcast

This case highlights the critical importance of having proper emergency equipment, trained staff, and clear protocols that prioritize saving lives over liability concerns.

The Real Cost of Pool Maintenance: Industry Pricing Reality Check

Shifting from tragedy to industry economics, the hosts revealed a startling statistic that explains why many pool service companies struggle to provide quality service. According to their research, the average homeowner spends $87.50 per month on pool chemicals when maintaining their own pool.

This figure exposes a fundamental disconnect in the market. If homeowners are spending nearly $90 monthly just on chemicals, why are professional pool service companies charging similar amounts for comprehensive service that includes labor, expertise, and additional supplies?

So they don't want to spend money to have someone do it. And they don't want to, they don't want to pay to do it themselves either. So don't go to pool.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

The hosts noted that average pool service pricing in Florida hovers around $110 monthly, which they consider far too low given the scope of services expected. This pricing pressure creates a cascade of problems throughout the industry.

The Impossible Expectations of Modern Pool Service

The conversation revealed the unrealistic demands placed on pool service technicians. Companies promise comprehensive services while assigning impossible workloads to their staff. One host shared their experience of servicing 20-22 pools daily while being expected to perform extensive maintenance at each stop:

You want me to do 21 pools... I'm required to brush every single pool, clean all the tiles, scrape all the shit off, vacuum net, do the skimmer baskets, empty the pump baskets, fucking clean the filter... You just gave me a list of 25 things I have to do at each pool. And I have to do that at 21 pools.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

This impossible standard leads to corner-cutting, burnout, and ultimately, dissatisfied customers who don't understand why their service isn't meeting expectations. The solution requires honest pricing that reflects the actual time and effort required for quality pool maintenance.

Setting Boundaries: What Should Be Extra Services

The hosts emphasized that many services currently bundled into basic pool maintenance should be separate, billable services. Filter cleaning, calcium scraping, and equipment programming are specialized tasks that require additional time and expertise.

They particularly stressed that emergency calls and weekend requests should be treated as service calls, not routine maintenance. When customers text on Sunday expecting immediate responses, it demonstrates a lack of understanding about professional boundaries and appropriate service expectations.

Here we go. The little things like, Hey, can you come in the house and program this? Because I think the time is off. That should be a service call. Service call.

— Host, Talking Pools Podcast

This boundary-setting isn't about providing less service—it's about creating sustainable business practices that allow for quality work and fair compensation.

Lessons for Pool Owners and Service Providers

The El Paso tragedy serves as a stark reminder that water safety requires vigilance from multiple parties. Facility owners must prioritize safety over profits, ensuring adequate staffing and proper emergency protocols. Parents must maintain constant supervision of children around water, regardless of the presence of lifeguards.

For the pool service industry, this episode highlights the need for realistic pricing and clear service boundaries. Quality pool maintenance requires time, expertise, and proper compensation. When companies promise everything for bargain prices, the result is often substandard service that satisfies no one.

The industry must educate consumers about the true costs of pool ownership, including both DIY maintenance and professional services. Only through honest pricing and realistic expectations can pool service companies provide the quality maintenance that pools require and customers deserve.

As these industry veterans make clear, maintaining pools safely and effectively isn't just about chemicals and cleaning—it's about creating sustainable business practices that protect both service providers and the families who depend on clean, safe water for recreation and relaxation.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap
• 05:30 El Paso Water Park Drowning Case
• 15:45 Industry Pricing Statistics Discussion
• 22:10 Service Expectations and Workload Reality
• 28:30 Setting Professional Boundaries