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 method for treating water in a spa or a hot tub includes, for example, suspending a water treatment dispenser from an upper end of a filter cartridge disposed in a skimmer of the spa or the hot tub. The dispenser includes a water treatment material. A supply of water is passed from the spa or the hot tub into the skimmer and through the filter cartridge so that the dispenser suspended in the filtered water in the filter cartridge is operable to dispense the water treatment material from the dispenser, and a supply of treated filtered water from the filter cartridge is returned to the spa or the hot tub. A cover, for example, may be employed when the dispenser is not used.

A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.

A drainage device for an above-ground pool, and an above-ground pool including the drainage device are provided. The drainage device includes a drainage pipe, with inlet and outlet ends, and a drainage valve connected to the inlet end of the drainage pipe. The drainage valve includes a water inlet periphery, defining a water inlet in fluid communication with the inlet end of the drainage pipe, and a connecting member disposed circumferentially around the water inlet periphery. The connecting member is radially spaced apart from the water inlet periphery. The connecting member may be formed by injection molding around the water inlet periphery.

An original drain is removed from a pool gutter by cutting the joint where the drain tube joins the drain pipe. The remainder of the drain pipe is contained in a portion of the original drain tube. The replacement drain tube is inserted and bonded into the interior of the remaining drain pipe. A liquid flow path and reinforced joint are defined by the hopper of the replacement drain, original and replacement drain tubes, and the drain pipe. The top of the hopper of the replacement drain is tilted to about the slope of the gutter.

A pool drain for flush mounting in the surface of a swimming pool includes a central hub and elongated drain ports in fluid communication with the central hub. The elongated drain ports extend radially away from the central hub. The surface material individually surrounds the central hub and elongated drain ports when the pool drain is installed in the surface material. Internal dividers are located between the central hub and the elongated drain ports. The internal dividers are positioned so that they direct fluid away from the central hub, around each of the internal dividers and back toward the central hub. A water stop surrounding the central hub and elongated drain ports anchors the pool drain in the surface and prevents leakage.

A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet. The low profile drain comprises a sump having an annular chamber forming a top side defining an annular top opening. There is an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall on opposite sides of the annular top opening. The outer sidewall has an upper peripheral edge about the annular top opening. The sump has a water stop extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge. The sump has an outlet port formed laterally through one sidewall thereof for communication between the annular chamber and the drain inlet. The sump is configured to maintain open communication between the annular top opening and the outlet port, the annular top opening extending without substantial interruption about a center axis of the sump.

A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa, the sump drain comprising an annular chamber having a contiguous annular top opening, a plurality of outlet ports, an inner and an outer water stop, a plurality of diverter plates configured to removeably couple to an inner surface of the annular chamber, each diverter plate comprising two opposed ends and a bottom surface having a plurality of louvers, wherein one diverter plate is placed over each outlet port, and a grid cover configured to cover the chamber, the grid cover having a multiplicity of openings. The diverter plate can be curved along its length and have a central opening, optionally in the shape of a cross.

A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa, the sump drain comprising an annular chamber having a contiguous annular top opening, a plurality of outlet ports, an inner and an outer water stop, a plurality of diverter plates configured to removeably couple to an inner surface of the annular chamber, each diverter plate comprising a bottom surface having a plurality of louvers, wherein one diverter plate is placed over each outlet port, and a grid cover configured to cover the chamber, the grid cover having a multiplicity of openings. The diverter plate can be curved along its length and have a central opening, optionally in the shape of a cross.

A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.