We recently asked Oriana Raabe, Vice President of Sustainability for Pentair, to share her ideas about maintaining that crucial balance between economic, environmental, and social systems in the leisure aquatics industry.
For more details on Pool Horizons and its visionary role in the aquatic industry, see the sidebar on the following page.
AQUA/Pool Horizons: The pool industry has made strong progress in improving efficiency. What broader shift in thinking is now needed to move from optimizing individual products to embedding sustainability across the entire pool lifecycle?
Oriana Raabe: As global concern for sustainability and climate change grows, the swimming pool industry is facing increased pressure to create not just sustainable pool equipment but to also adopt sustainable practices throughout every stage of the pool lifecycle. This includes pool design, construction, operation, ongoing maintenance, and upkeep.
It is essential for the industry to focus on creating a more efficient pool of the future — one that addresses the impacts of water usage, consumes less energy, and requires fewer chemicals. As a pool equipment manufacturer, we are looking at how we can continue to improve our energy-efficient pumps and lighting, intelligent filtration and chemical management, and integrated automation, which can help pools operate more sustainably while making them easier to maintain and operate. Further, connected pool pads present another significant opportunity. Real-time insights from connected equipment can help pool professionals optimize performance, improve service efficiency, reduce truck rolls, and lower energy use, chemical waste, and emissions — advancing sustainability across the pool ecosystem.
This evolution is driven by purpose, not pressure. It reflects a conscious choice to maximize the positive impact of pools as spaces that foster community, support physical and mental health, and create lifelong memories while thoughtfully reducing environmental impact and respecting shared resources.
AQ/PH: Swimming pools provide clear benefits for health, safety and community life. How can the industry better communicate this value while also demonstrating responsible use of water and energy?
OR: Swimming pools are a central hub for bringing communities, families and friends together. Pools can create lifelong memories, help have a positive effect on physical fitness and mental health, and promote water-safety education and community connection.
Industry initiatives like Pool Horizons are one way that the pool industry is working together to promote the importance of swimming pools and what the industry is doing to drive sustainability efforts. As an industry, we should address water and energy concerns directly, acknowledging these challenges to build credibility and create space to demonstrate progress.
As a pool equipment manufacturer, we are committed to delivering innovative and sustainable pool pad solutions. Equally important is our ongoing commitment to educating stakeholders about best practices in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable approaches to building, maintaining, and owning swimming pools. By combining education with practical application, we can amplify the positive impact of swimming pools.
AQ/PH: Looking ahead, where do you see the biggest opportunities to advance sustainability?
OR: Looking ahead, one of the biggest opportunities to advance sustainability is at the intersection of innovative product design, connected technologies, and smarter service delivery. Across the industry, embedding sustainability into both product development and service delivery is critical to driving meaningful progress.
At Pentair, sustainability is built into our product and business strategies. This enables us to drive meaningful change and growth. We focus on solutions that help address global water challenges and create value for our customers. Guided by our Product Design for Sustainability Strategic Target and strategy, we focus on delivering customer value and minimizing environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle. These principles are included as part of our product development processes and embed sustainability into our strategy.
AQ/PH: Where do you see digital technologies, including AI, helping the industry improve environmental and operational sustainability?
OR: Digital technologies and AI are helping the industry move from incremental efficiency gains to truly more sustainable systems. By connecting equipment and using data-driven insights, we can optimize energy, water, and chemical use in real time.
For pool builders and servicers, AI enables smarter, more proactive operations. Predictive diagnostics and remote monitoring can reduce unnecessary service visits, improve planning, and help professionals arrive informed and prepared. Through connected pool pad equipment, servicers can obtain detailed insights into a homeowner’s pool, including confirmation that equipment is functioning correctly and water chemistry levels remain balanced. These systems may also offer information on water levels, which can be instrumental in identifying potential leaks early and help mitigate water loss.
This proactive approach can eliminate the need for additional truck rolls, helping servicers efficiently complete their routes with fewer stops or trips to retrieve extra tools or parts. Ultimately, resulting in more effective service delivery, reduced environmental impact, increased operational efficiency and happier pool owners.
AQ/PH: What responsibility does the swimming pool industry have in driving sustainability across the entire ecosystem, from design and manufacturing to operators, communities and policymakers?
OR: The swimming pool industry has a shared responsibility to drive sustainability across the entire ecosystem — from design and manufacturing to operation, communities, and policy. Achieving this requires collaboration among policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, operators, and individuals. Researchers drive innovation and technical breakthroughs. Manufacturers, builders, and suppliers must lead through efficient design, responsible materials, and investment in sustainable technologies. Pool owners and operators can reduce water, energy, and chemical use through smarter practices and education. When all stakeholders work together, swimming pools can become efficient, valued community assets that support the well-being of generations to come.
