One aspect of the invention provides a system including: a liquid filter configured for fluidic communication with a fluid repository; a flow sensor in fluidic communication with the liquid filter; a variable-speed pump in fluidic communication with the liquid filter and the flow sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the flow sensor and the variable-speed pump. The processor is configured to: determine a total volume threshold for a filtration procedure of the fluid repository; identify a set of fluid flow activities performed by the variable-speed pump; determine a remaining volume for completing the filtration procedure by reducing the total volume threshold by a volume of fluid moved by the variable-speed pump during the set of fluid flow activities; and determine, from a set of energy-expenditure factors and the remaining volume, an activation schedule and an activation power output of the variable-speed pump for completing the filtration procedure.

A system and methods of remotely monitoring and controlling a pool controller for a pool or a spa via one or more remote computing devices is provided. In some embodiments, a remote user can be provided with information about the pool or the spa. The remote user is provided with an ability to remotely optimize a performance of the pool or the spa, including remotely adjusting a chemistry of the pool or the spa, remotely activating a heater of the pool or the spa, and/or remotely activating a pump of the pool or the spa.

Low head loss systems are detailed. The systems may include chambers having low impedance to water flow therethrough and repositionable gates or other valves within the chambers. The valves may direct water as a function of whether an associated heating device is active. At least some gates may incorporate poppet valves or other high-flow by-passes.

A heating device is well-functioning, easy to install, aesthetically pleasing and convenient to use at the same time. It includes a frame having an upper face, which connects the rear and front faces and which generally has a step-shaped shape having at least two levels, which, in use, are at different respective heights and the highest level of which opens onto the rear face while the other levels are distributed substantially uniformly between a base of the frame and the highest level, such that, in use, a user may access the pool by successively walking on the levels of the step-shaped shape by climbing the levels from the ground to enter the pool and by descending the levels to the ground to leave the pool. The device also includes an air-water heat pump, arranged in an internal volume of the frame, which is defined between the base and the rear.

A publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex is disclosed, with a man-made tropical, pristine-clear lagoon as the centerpiece of the complex, with surrounding entertainment, educational, sports, and commercial facilities, the complex having controlled public access and providing the look and feel of a tropical beach with clear waters and sandy beaches. In addition a method for efficiently utilizing facilities and land that are vacant, underutilized, have limited uses, or that are contiguous to or nearby recreational, educational, sports, or commercial venues is disclosed. The method providing a publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex with a centerpiece man-made tropical-style pristine-clear lagoon. The method allows for generating revenue and increasing efficiency by pairing vacant sites, underutilized sites, limited use land, or sites that are contiguous to entertainment, educational, sports, and/or commercial venues with urban beach entertainment complexes. The complex preferably has a controlled public access, thereby allowing entrance upon payment of a fee.

A system and method are provided for controlling water temperature in a body of water. The temperature control system includes a processor, a user interface for receiving a desired temperature and a desired time for reaching the desired temperature, a sensor interface for receiving sensor information from one or more sensors, and an actuator interface for controlling a plurality of heat sources. The processor determines one or more optimal heat sources for heating the body of water to the desired temperature by the desired time. The processor controls the one or more optimal heat sources through the actuator interface and periodically polls the sensor interface to determine whether changes in the operating environment require additional or alternate heat sources to be activated to ensure that the body of water is heated to the desired temperature by the desired time.

There is described a water monitoring device for monitoring a body of water. The body of water comprises a main body of water and a water inlet and/or water outlet. The water monitoring device comprises a sensor operable to generate data in relation to a property of the body of water, an attachment member operable to removably arrange the device in a substantially stationary position adjacent to the water inlet and/or water outlet of the body of water; and a communication member operable to transmit the data relating to a property of the body of water to a remote device. Also described is a water monitoring apparatus and a method of monitoring a body of water.

A managed water system can include a first body of water contained in a vessel. The managed water system can also include at least one sensor device that measures at least one parameter associated with the first body of water. The managed water system can further include a circulation system that circulates the body of water relative to the vessel. The managed water system can also include a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor device and the circulation system. The controller can control the circulation system, and receive measurements of the at least one parameter made by the at least one sensor device. The controller can also evaluate the measurements using multiple algorithms, and communicate a result of evaluating the measurements.

A hybrid solar load controller. The controller determines values to carry out what is referred to herein as “best effort” pumping during sun hours, understand its progress, and then “finish the job” with AC power after sun hours have concluded, while taking fullest advantage of pump affinity when on paid-power pump. In embodiments, the pump can be a water pump for a pool, and a goal can be set as a total volumetric goal. The goal can also be a fill level for a container.

An inlet mixer system for a gas heater includes a housing in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion blower, and first and second mixer inserts, each removably positionable within the housing. Each mixer insert includes a body defining a mixing chamber, an air intake, and a plurality of orifices disposed radially about the body and extending through the body, which provide respective volumetric flow rates of a fuel gas. When the first mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a first fuel gas, and when the second mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a second fuel gas.