CPO Certification Class: An Aussie's Guide

Picture this: it's 2 AM in Australia, and while most people are sound asleep, pool professional Lee is wide awake, coffee in hand, ready to attend a CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certification class. Why? Because in the pool industry, learning never stops—even if it means sacrificing a good night's sleep to bridge the gap between continents and discover how the other half of the world maintains their pools.

In this eye-opening episode of the Talking Pools Podcast's "Mondays Down Under" series, hosts Peter, Lee, and Shane dive deep into the cultural and technical differences between Australian and American pool maintenance practices. What emerges is a fascinating tale of dedication to professional development and the surprising variations in how pools are serviced across different hemispheres.

The Midnight Scholar: Taking CPO Certification at 2 AM

Lee's commitment to continuing education took dedication to a whole new level when he decided to pursue his CPO certification through an American program. The time difference meant starting class in the middle of the Australian night.

For those in the US, you guys, well my fellow classmates started their day of learning somewhere between 8am and 10am depending on their time slot in the US and finished at some time between I think it was 4pm and 6pm. But for me it was a 2am start and a 10am finish.

— Lee, Talking Pools Podcast

Despite the challenging schedule, Lee's dedication paid off. He managed to stay awake through most of the class, with only one minor incident during what was lunch break for his American classmates but 6:15 AM for him. After accidentally falling asleep during the break (his phone was on silent mode and didn't wake him), he returned to class apologetic but determined to succeed.

The hard work was worth it—Lee passed with a perfect 100% score, demonstrating that geographical barriers and sleep deprivation are no match for professional commitment and proper preparation.

Why Australian Pros Choose American Certification

The obvious question arises: why would an experienced Australian pool professional pursue American certification? Lee's answer reveals the universal truth about professional growth in the pool industry.

You can never stop learning. You've always got new stuff to learn and it's great to see how we do different things on different sides of the world.

— Lee, Talking Pools Podcast

This philosophy extends beyond just earning credentials. It's about understanding different approaches, learning new techniques, and gaining insights that can be applied regardless of location. The pool industry is constantly evolving with new products, technologies, and methods, making continuous education not just beneficial but essential for staying competitive.

The attitude toward learning also reveals character traits that successful pool professionals share. As Peter notes about hiring practices, employees who think they know everything after just a couple of years often become problematic, while those who remain open to learning and improvement tend to excel.

The Great Filter Media Divide: DE vs. Sand vs. Glass

One of the most striking revelations from the CPO course was the dramatic difference in filter media preferences between Australia and the United States. While diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are extremely popular in American residential pools, they're virtually non-existent in Australian backyards.

Residential, you just don't see DE filters here on residential pools? Oh god no, no. I didn't have one. I saw one maybe 30 years ago.

— Shane, Talking Pools Podcast

The reasons for this divide are practical and market-driven:

• Lack of expertise: Very few Australian pool professionals know how to service DE filters properly
• Parts availability: Spare parts are extremely difficult to source in Australia
• Market adaptation: Australian pools have evolved with sand and glass media systems

In Australia, the progression has been from traditional sand filters to glass filter media, which offers several advantages:

• Superior filtration capabilities
• Reduced bacterial growth
• Faster backwash and rinse cycles
• Less water waste during maintenance

This regional difference highlights how local market conditions, supplier networks, and technician expertise shape industry practices in different countries.

The Zeolite Experiment: Lessons in Volcanic Rock Filtration

The discussion also touched on zeolite, a volcanic rock filter media that had its moment in the Australian market but has since fallen out of favor. This case study provides valuable lessons about adopting new technologies and the importance of proper education.

Zeolite offered several theoretical advantages:

• Increased surface area due to its porous volcanic structure
• Excellent ammonia removal properties
• Potential benefits for commercial pools with high bather loads

However, the reality proved more complex. Zeolite requires annual regeneration with salt to maintain its effectiveness—a critical maintenance step that many suppliers and pool owners weren't aware of. Without this regeneration, pools would develop persistent cloudiness that was difficult to diagnose and resolve.

Peter identified additional concerns with zeolite's ion-exchange properties, particularly its interaction with metals and phosphates. These chemical incompatibilities could interfere with certain treatment systems, making it less versatile than traditional media options.

Technical Differences: Calculations and Chemical Approaches

Beyond equipment preferences, the CPO course revealed interesting differences in how chemical calculations are performed between countries. Lee discovered variations in breakpoint chlorination calculations and learned about concepts like "adjusted total alkalinity" that account for high cyanuric acid levels.

The adjusted TA formula (Total Alkalinity minus Cyanuric Acid divided by three) raises important questions about automated testing systems. Do modern digital testing platforms automatically account for these adjustments, or do operators need to manually calculate the true alkalinity reading?

These technical nuances demonstrate why continuing education matters. Even experienced professionals can benefit from understanding different methodologies and approaches used in other markets. The knowledge gained might not immediately change daily practices, but it provides a deeper understanding of the science behind pool chemistry.

The Learning Mindset: Building Better Teams

The conversation about training and hiring reveals another crucial aspect of professional development. The hosts discussed their experiences with both novice and experienced hires, noting that attitude often matters more than prior experience.

I'm happy with that. I can train him up the way that I want to see him trained. I've had a couple of bad experiences with people previously who had been in the industry and brought bad habits with them.

— Shane, Talking Pools Podcast

This insight extends beyond just hiring decisions. It reflects the importance of maintaining quality standards and proper training protocols. Someone willing to learn can be molded into an excellent technician, while someone who believes they already know everything becomes difficult to coach and improve.

The key traits successful pool professionals look for include:

• Willingness to learn and take direction
• Understanding that expertise comes with time and experience
• Openness to feedback and correction
• Recognition that the industry constantly evolves

Practical Applications and Future Considerations

Lee's CPO certification experience offers several practical lessons for pool professionals worldwide:

Training Quality Matters: Lee specifically praised instructor Rudy's ability to explain complex concepts clearly. Good instructors don't just convey information—they make it comprehensible and applicable.

Cross-Cultural Learning: Understanding how other markets operate provides valuable perspective and potentially new solutions to common problems.

Technology Integration: Questions about whether automated systems account for chemical interactions highlight the need to understand both traditional calculations and modern technology capabilities.

Seasonal Planning: The hosts discussed the importance of early communication with customers about scheduling services before peak season, demonstrating how operational insights complement technical knowledge.

Looking forward, the pool industry will likely see continued convergence of international best practices as professionals like Lee bridge geographical gaps through virtual learning opportunities. However, local market conditions will continue to influence equipment choices and service approaches.

The episode also touched on interesting terminology, including the German word "schmutzdecke" (literally "dirt layer"), which describes the biological layer that forms on sand filter surfaces. This biofilm layer actually contributes to filtration effectiveness, showing how even seemingly negative developments can serve important functions in pool systems.

Lee's CPO certification journey exemplifies the dedication required to excel in the pool industry. By sacrificing sleep and comfort to pursue additional credentials, he gained not just a certification but valuable insights into different approaches and methodologies. His perfect score on the exam proved that dedication and preparation can overcome any obstacle—even time zones and exhaustion.

For pool professionals considering similar educational pursuits, the key takeaways are clear: invest in quality instruction, maintain an open mind about different approaches, and remember that learning opportunities exist beyond traditional geographical boundaries. The pool industry may be local in application, but the pursuit of excellence knows no borders.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Weather Chat
• 05:00 New Team Members and Seasonal Planning
• 08:00 Lee's 2AM CPO Certification Experience
• 15:00 Filter Media Differences: Australia vs US
• 25:00 The Zeolite Filter Media Discussion
• 35:00 Chemical Calculation Differences and Technical Insights