---
title: Keeping Tabs Blog | Water Treatment Best Practice | Accu-Tab News Team (6)
description: From commercial pools and fountains to irrigation or fresh cut packaging. Keeping Tabs is the education blog designed to keep you on top of industry trends and best practices. (6)
---
[About Us](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/about-us) [Blog](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com) [Resources](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/resources) [Sustainability](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/sustainability) [Contact Us](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/contact-us)
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- [Commercial Aquatics](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/commercial-aquatics)
- [Commercial Pools & Spas](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/commercial-aquatics/commercial-pools-spas)
- [Waterparks & Water Features](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/commercial-aquatics/waterparks-water-features)
- [Industrial](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/industrial)
- [Aerobic & Onsite Wastewater](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/industrial/aerobic-onsite-wastewater)
- [Food Safety & Irrigation](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/food-safety-irrigation)
- [Fresh Cut & Packing](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/food-safety-irrigation/fresh-cut-packing)
- [Poultry & Red Meat](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/food-safety-irrigation/poultry-red-meat)
- [Irrigation Applications](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/food-safety-irrigation/irrigation-applications)
- [Beverage Plants](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/food-safety-irrigation/beverage-plants)
- [Municipal](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/municipal)
- [Municipal Wastewater](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/municipal/municipal-wastewater)
- [Potable Water](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/municipal/potable-water)
- [Combined Sewer Overflow](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/municipal/combined-sewer-overflow)
- [Residential Pools](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/residential-pools)
- [Pool Care & Maintenance](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/residential-pools/pool-care-maintenance)
- [Sustain Pool Care System](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/residential-pools/sustain-pool-care-system)
- [Products](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products)
- [Accu-Tab Chlorination Systems](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems)
- [How It Works](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems/how-it-works)
- [Competitive Comparison](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems/competitive-comparison)
- [Acid-Rite pH Adjustment System](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/acid-rite-ph-adjustment-system)
- [Zappit](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/zappit)
- [Sustain](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/sustain)
- [Granular](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/granular)
- [About Us](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/about-us)
- [Resources](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/resources)
- [Sustainability](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/sustainability)
- [Contact Us](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/contact-us)
- [Blog](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com)
## Accu-Tab News Team
### Recent Posts
## [Well-trained Employees Essential for Fresh-Cut Produce Industry](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/well-trained-employees-essential-for-fresh-cut-produce-industry)
Technology and automation [are expected](https://freshcut.com/index.php/magazine/article/lining-up-the-future) to play a big role in fresh-cut produce facilities of the future.However, when it comes to producing a product that’s both safe and fresh, produce processors must combine the efficiency of these new systems with the expertise of well-educated employees. Fortunately, there are lots of resources employers can use to train their staff in effective fresh-cut safety practices.
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/well-trained-employees-essential-for-fresh-cut-produce-industry)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/an-affinity-for-alkalinity-protects-the-pool)
## [An Affinity for Alkalinity Protects the Pool](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/an-affinity-for-alkalinity-protects-the-pool)
Maintaining a safe pool is about more than just good chlorination practices and fishing out the occasional leaf or tree branch. Although a low maintenance system like the [*Accu-Tab***®** Chlorination system](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems) can be a great way to add the proper amounts of chlorine to your pool to stave off bacteria and other contaminants, undesirably high pH levels can result in scale deposits and restricting water flow.
"Swings in pH can result in considerable pool damage,” says Westlake Water Solutions’ senior research associate, Dr. Stanley Pickens. “Metal fixtures or head exchangers may be corroded and corrosion products can stain plaster. Control of pH can also be important in keeping chlorine working properly. Extremes of pH can be irritating or damaging to skin and eyes.”
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/an-affinity-for-alkalinity-protects-the-pool)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/agricultural-act-empowers-farmers)
## [Agricultural Act Empowers Farmers to Harvest Benefits of Diversification](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/agricultural-act-empowers-farmers)
**Insure the Farm, Not Commodities, to Promote Farm Growth**
Diversification is a crucial aspect of running a viable farm--it can save natural resources, spread economic risk, and capitalize on profitable niche markets, [just to name a few](http://www.sare.org/) benefits.
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/agricultural-act-empowers-farmers)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/countdown-to-fsma-implementation-part-2)
## [Countdown to FSMA Implementation - Part 2](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/countdown-to-fsma-implementation-part-2)
Signed into law over three years ago, the FDA’s [Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)](http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/default.htm) is finally being, well, finalized. Although compliance inspections likely won’t begin until 2016, farmers should be prepared for the law’s new standards, which place increased scrutiny on produce safety and agricultural water. The public comment period for this rule has closed, so growers should keep an eye on the [FDA’s website](http://www.fda.gov/) for potential amendments to and publication of FSMA rules.
Specifically, the FSMA includes several proposed rules that cover different aspects of agricultural operations. One of them focuses on produce safety, which covers new requirements for testing and treating agricultural water.
**“Safe and Sanitary”**
The guiding principle behind the FDA’s approach to agricultural water in the [proposed rule on Produce Safety](https://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/NSAC-Produce-Rule-Comments-FINAL-11-15-13.pdf) is that “all agricultural water must be safe and of adequate sanitary quality for its intended use.” The FDA defines “agricultural water” as any water used in the produce production line where it is likely to come into contact with the produce itself, or surfaces that will come into contact with the produce. This includes any irrigation water directly applied to crops, crop sprays, as well as any water used in the harvesting, packing, and holding process.
This new rule will require farmers and growers to inspect their water sources and distribution systems to prevent potential contamination. In addition, agricultural water applied to covered produce will have to be tested, particularly if it comes into contact with the harvestable portion of the crop (prior to, during, or after harvest); directly contacts surfaces that will later touch the food; or is used during hand -washing or sprout irrigation.
**A New Standard for Testing...**
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/countdown-to-fsma-implementation-part-2)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics-lookingfortroublestudyreleased)
## [Eye-Opening Report on Aquatics Facilities' Health Inspections Released](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics-lookingfortroublestudyreleased)
The [National Association of County and City Health Officials](https://www.naccho.org/) (NACCHO) and Axiall Water Treatment Group, which is a part of Axiall Corporation (NYSE: AXLL) released “[Looking for Trouble—Seeing Eye-to-Eye with Health Inspectors](https://www.naccho.org/uploads/downloadable-resources/Policy-and-Advocacy/15-01-recreational-water-safety.pdf),” a report on commercial pool operations and inspections that highlights multiple violations in pool water safety. The report contains findings and recommendations from a 2014 comprehensive survey of aquatic health officals from across the United States and was released at the annual World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC) in Portland, Oregon.
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics-lookingfortroublestudyreleased)
[](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics/world-aquatic-health-conference-preview-naccho-axiall)
## [Aquatics: Westlake Water Solutions and NACCHO to Present at WAHC in Portland](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics/world-aquatic-health-conference-preview-naccho-axiall)
Representatives from [Westlake Water Solutions](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/) and [The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)](http://www.naccho.org/) will present at the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s (NSPF) World Aquatic Health**TM** Conference.
Individuals who attend this session will get an in depth look at pool and spa facility inspections and findings. Specifically, the presentation and will reveal hurdles associated with those inspections, areas that are most commonly cited as deficiencies at commercial pools, and ways in which best practices can be implemented to encourage pool operators to maintain their facilities within state and local aquatic health codes at all times.Conference, which is being held October 8-10, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. Frank Schiffman, Westlake Water Solutions senior marketing manager and Jennifer Li, M.H.S., the director of environmental health and health and disability at NACCHO will be leading a session titled “Looking for Trouble—Seeing Eye-to-Eye with Health Inspectors” on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 10 a.m.
[Read More →](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/aquatics/world-aquatic-health-conference-preview-naccho-axiall)
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### Topics
- [Aquatics (22)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/aquatics)
- [chlorination (8)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/chlorination)
- [CleanSlate (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/cleanslate)
- [CSO (2)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/cso)
- [Food Safety (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/food-safety)
- [FSIS (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/fsis)
- [FSMA (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/fsma)
- [Irrigation (9)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/irrigation)
- [Mon Valley Sewage Authority (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/mon-valley-sewage-authority)
- [Municipal (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/municipal)
- [pathogen protection (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/pathogen-protection)
- [pH balance (7)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/ph-balance)
- [Pool Disinfection (5)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/pool-disinfection)
- [Produce/Fresh Cut Safety (5)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/producefresh-cut-safety)
- [salmonella standards (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/salmonella-standards)
- [Sustainability (1)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/sustainability)
- [Wastewater (2)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/wastewater)
- [water quality in the news (2)](https://blog.westlakewatersolutions.com/topic/water-quality-in-the-news)
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###### Products
- [Accu-Tab® Chlorination Systems](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems)
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- [Accu-Tab® Wastewater Tablets](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems)
- [Zappit](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/zappit)
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- [Granular](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/granular)
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- [How It Works](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems/how-it-works)
- [Competitive Comparison](https://www.westlakewatersolutions.com/products/accu-tab-chlorination-systems/competitive-comparison)
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