Filtration + Features

As demand for innovative, durable and inclusive aquatic play environments grows, AquaWorx USA has positioned itself as a leading manufacturer of U.S.-made water features and filtration systems. Founded in 2009, the Florida-based company specializes in complete design-to-installation solutions for commercial aquatic projects, including splash pads, water slides, filtration systems and more. Below, Sylvia Bucklew, marketing manager for AquaWorx, shares insights into the company’s product philosophy, customization capabilities and the trends shaping the future of recreational water systems.

PoolPro: Can you share a brief overview of AquaWorx and the types of products you manufacture? 

Sylvia Bucklew: AquaWorx is a full-service aquatic play manufacturer of American-made waterslides, interactive water toys and playsets. We provide everything you need for your resort water park, splash pad or pool, including design, engineering, 3D color renderings, filtration systems, waterslides and collector tanks. Our team is always accessible for consultation and factory support. 

PoolPro: What is AquaWorx’s core philosophy when it comes to providing water features for commercial aquatic environments? 

Bucklew: Assuring complete customer satisfaction is a hallmark of our organization. We are dedicated to being the technical experts in recreational water systems. We specialize in designing complete packages of unique water features, coupled with a commitment to sharing our expertise and providing outstanding lifelong service to bring our customers extraordinary experiences with water. 

PoolPro: What types of commercial projects does AquaWorx most commonly support?

Bucklew: We are included in so many types of commercial projects — water parks, hotels, residential community centers and more —  because we provide everything our customers need, including swimming pool collector tanks, fiberglass pool gutters, DE, sand and cartridge filtration systems, main drain sumps, interactive water features and ground sprays for splash pad designs, multilevel interactive water playsets, lazy river equipment and fountain equipment. Our customers love that we are a one-stop supplier.

PoolPro: What are some of your most requested or bestselling product categories? 

Bucklew: Because we offer a complete package for commercial facilities, all of our product categories are bestsellers. However, our slides stand out because they are all custom-made.   

Our level of expertise has resulted in the production of waterslides that are both structurally superior and beautifully finished. We design, engineer and fabricate AquaWorx waterslides in our Florida facility. Clients appreciate that our waterslide package comes complete with a water feature filtration system with pool filters for clean, recirculating water year-round.  

Whether the commercial project is seeking high-speed thrills or slides for beginner wading depths in a kiddie pool, AquaWorx waterslides are engineered for riders of all ages and abilities and custom-made to your specifications — open or enclosed, indoor or outdoor, wide or narrow, short or tall — for each unique, aquatic landscape. 

PoolPro: How do you help clients customize water features to match the aesthetic or theme of a particular project?  

Bucklew: AquaWorx offers splash pad packages that allow clients to create an ideal aquatic oasis with three simple steps — select the package that matches the square footage of your project, choose the splash pad design that appeals the most to you and select your color options for each interactive water feature. Each turnkey package comes with ready-to-install ground sprays, interactive water features and all necessary filtration and hydraulic equipment within a set budget. All products included in each package are ready to ship within six to eight weeks. 

PoolPro: What sets AquaWorx products apart from others on the market? 

Bucklew: Filter packs, collection tanks and pool gutters combine to give commercial aquatic facilities the recirculation of sparkling clean, filtered water, which is the most critical factor for water parks, guest relations and recreation success. It also guarantees compliance with regulatory agencies.

PoolPro: Can you talk about any recent innovations in product design or material technology? 

Bucklew: AquaWorx’s green, patented fiberglass tanks range from 65 to 4,000 gallons, plus larger adaptable sizes can be customized for any facility needs. 

We also offer lazy river propulsion systems that control water flow for a lazy river with subterranean propulsion pits and above-grade river flow thruster stations. Additionally, we offer subterranean equipment vaults that are custom-built, underground “rooms” fully equipped with all necessary filtration and electrical components tailored to each project’s specifications.  

PoolPro: What are some common challenges faced when adding interactive water features — and how does AquaWorx help solve them? 

Bucklew: One of the biggest challenges is choosing the best, most effective combination of interactive water features. It is important to have levels of design that include all community members, regardless of their age or abilities. Splash pads welcome users with a wide range of developmental, cognitive and physical abilities, as well as different age groups — including older generations acting as caregivers to children.  

It’s important that interactive water features be fully inclusive, with sections that attract and encourage a wide range of patrons. Using a variety of features, water flows, spacing, sizes and colors can make the facility even more accessible.  

The AquaWorx team collaborates and supports builders and owners to help enhance water play areas, beach entry swimming pools and splash pads with a variety of multisensory water features to thrill all patrons. 

PoolPro: What should pool servicers know about working with these features?  

Bucklew: The AquaWorx interactive water feature filtration systems are well-equipped for high-traffic water play areas. All interactive water feature systems come preplumbed and prewired with all pumps, pool filters, valve manifolds, breaker panels, control panels and chemical control equipment. They are made of highly durable stainless steel powder-coated in a variety of colors. We also add colorful fiberglass integral parts to our systems that have gel coat-resistant UV, providing strong resistance to chlorinated water (preventing chalking) and heavy rain, as well as UV degradation. 

Recirculating filtration systems are recommended for operating interactive water features. By utilizing pool filters and UV sanitation, guests are protected from harmful bacteria that are tolerant to chlorine disinfection.