An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

A submergible umbrella stand includes a body including a top, a bottom spaced from the top, and a body wall extending between the top and the bottom and defining a body cavity therein. At least one filling aperture is formed in the top. An umbrella sleeve is positioned within the body and is configured to receive an umbrella pole. An upper recess is formed in the top and includes an upper recess sidewall extending inwardly and downwardly from the top of the body into the body cavity and a bottom extending inwardly from a bottom of the upper recess sidewall. A first sleeve aperture is formed in the bottom of the upper recess, with the umbrella sleeve extending through the first sleeve aperture.

A system and a method is provided for automatically changing color of pool lights to provide a visual notification regarding any change or anomaly associated with pool water. The system may comprise a receiver adapted to receive a measured value corresponding to one or more water quality parameters associated with water of a pool. The system may comprise a controller to analyze the measured value corresponding to the one or more water quality parameter to determine whether there is an anomaly associated with one or more of the water quality parameters; and a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal to one or more lights of the pool for changing from a first state to a second state based on the anomaly.

An above-ground pool is provided and includes a pool bottom and a pool wall, together defining a water storage space. The pool bottom includes a lower bottom sheet connected to the pool wall and an upper bottom sheet, the upper and lower bottom sheets connected in a ring region defining a sandwich region within the ring region. A porous elastic material is disposed between the upper bottom sheet and the lower bottom sheet in the sandwich region. A water drainage device includes a water drainage valve and a water drainage pipe, and the water drainage valve penetrating through the pool bottom and connected to the water drainage pipe beneath the pool bottom. A vent hole through the lower bottom sheet in the sandwich region provides communication between the porous elastic material and an environment external to the pool. The vent hole is disposed in a region of the pool bottom which is lifted off an external surface by the water drainage pipe beneath the pool bottom.

An above-ground pool is provided and includes a pool bottom and a pool wall, together defining a water storage space. The pool bottom includes a lower bottom sheet connected to the pool wall and an upper bottom sheet, the upper and lower bottom sheets connected in a ring region defining a sandwich region within the ring region. A porous elastic material is disposed between the upper bottom sheet and the lower bottom sheet in the sandwich region. A water drainage device includes a water drainage valve and a water drainage pipe, and the water drainage valve penetrating through the pool bottom and connected to the water drainage pipe beneath the pool bottom. A vent hole through the lower bottom sheet in the sandwich region provides communication between the porous elastic material and an environment external to the pool. The vent hole is disposed in a region of the pool bottom which is lifted off an external surface by the water drainage pipe beneath the pool bottom.

A pool ladder may have a first and second leg extension, each having a generally continuous profile; a first tread may comprise first and second through-holes, the first through-hole being sized to slidingly receive the generally continuous profile of the first leg extension, and the second through-hole being sized to slidingly receive the generally continuous profile of the second leg extension; and a first and second tread support. The first tread support may be engaged at a tread location on the first leg extension and may be separate from the first leg extension. The second tread support may be engaged at a tread location on the second leg extension and may be separate from the second leg extension. Each of the first and second tread supports may protrude from the respective leg extension a sufficient amount to prevent the first and second through-holes from sliding past the tread locations.

A pool or spa control system includes a sensor system with one or more sensors in contact with a main body of water. The sensor system measures water condition data of the body of water and is mounted on a wall submerged in the main body of water. The pool or spa control system also includes a modem that facilitates data communications between the sensor system and communication equipment positioned at a different location from the main body of water.

A pool skimmer guard assembly for keeping a pool skimmer free from obstructions includes a rod that is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. In this way the rod can be bent into a U-shape. Thus, the rod can be positioned in an intake of a pool skimmer having the rod curving outwardly from the intake. A pair of grips is each coupled to the rod such that each of the grips is positioned in the intake of the pool skimmer when the rod is bent into the U-shape. Each of the grips has a gripping edge that is perpendicularly oriented with the rod. In this way the gripping edge of each of the grips can engage a respective edge of the intake thereby inhibiting the rod from being dislodged from the intake.

A pool skimmer guard assembly for keeping a pool skimmer free from obstructions includes a rod that is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. In this way the rod can be bent into a U-shape. Thus, the rod can be positioned in an intake of a pool skimmer having the rod curving outwardly from the intake. A pair of grips is each coupled to the rod such that each of the grips is positioned in the intake of the pool skimmer when the rod is bent into the U-shape. Each of the grips has a gripping edge that is perpendicularly oriented with the rod. In this way the gripping edge of each of the grips can engage a respective edge of the intake thereby inhibiting the rod from being dislodged from the intake.

A low profile spa jet having a structure allowing for the use of a jet housing for both threaded/nut and grommet installation, wherein the jet protrudes into the spa tub less than 0.5″. The low profile spa jet also can have a jet face/flange that is interchangeable between threaded and grommet jet bodies without changing the relationship to the spa wall, wherein the jet protrudes the same amount in the installed state for both styles of jet body. The low profile spa jet also can have a jet face/flange that is removable and/or interchangeable before and after the jet body and jet internal are installed in the spa.