Pool and spa water quality control system and method

1. A water quality management system for a pool, the system comprising:

a water quality measurement module adapted to monitor water quality of water and to send water quality information to a controller, the water quality measurement module comprising a measurement area adapted to be submerged in the water and a plurality of colorimetric test pads disposed in the measurement area, each test pad enclosed in a water and vapor-proof barrier; and

a communication mechanism configured to provide communication among the controller, the water quality measurement module, and a user.

2. The water quality measurement system of claim 1 wherein the measurement area is adapted to be submerged in water within a skimmer port of the pool.

3. The water quality management system of claim 1 further comprising a cassette in the measurement area, the plurality of colorimetric test pads being disposed in the cassette.

4. The water quality management system of claim 1 wherein the water quality measurement module further comprises a sensor disposed in the measurement area and adapted to sense a color change in a test pad for processing by the controller.

5. The water quality management system of claim 1 wherein the water quality measurement module further comprises a motor adapted to expose a test pad to water to permit water to reach the test pad.

6. The water quality management system of claim 1 wherein the measurement area comprises a water-sealed compartment and water quality monitoring electronics disposed within the compartment.

7. The water quality management system of claim 6 wherein the water quality monitoring electronics comprise a water quality sensor.

8. The water quality management system of claim 1 further comprising a motor disposed in the water-sealed compartment and adapted to expose a test pad to water to permit water to reach the test pad.

9. A cassette for use with a water quality management system for a pool, the cassette containing a plurality of colorimetric test pads, each test pad enclosed in a water and vapor-proof barrier, the cassette being adapted to operatively engage with a compartment of the water quality management system, the compartment containing a sensor adapted to sense a color change in a test pad.

10. The cassette of claim 9 wherein the cassette is further adapted to operatively engage with a motor in the compartment, the motor being adapted to export a test pad to water in the pool.

11. A method of monitoring water in a pool, the method comprising:

submerging a plurality of colorimetric test pads in water in a measurement area of a water quality measurement system, each test pad enclosed in a water and vapor-proof barrier;

sensing a quality of the water with the test pads and a sensor in the water quality management system; and

communicating the quality of the water to a user.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the sensing step comprises sensing a change in color of a test pad.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising exposing a test pad to the water.

14. The method of claim 13 further wherein the exposing step comprises operating a motor to expose a test pad to the water.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the test pads are disposed in a cassette.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the water quality management system further comprises a sealed compartment engaged with the cassette in the measurement area, the sensor being disposed in the sealed compartment, the sensing step comprising sensing a change in color in a test pad with the sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the water quality management system further comprises a motor disposed in the sealed compartment, the method further comprising operating the motor to expose a test pad to the water.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the water quality management system is supported by a flange, the method further comprising engaging the flange with a skimmer port of the pool.

19. A water quality management system for a pool, the system comprising:

a flange adapted to engage a skimmer port above water of the pool;

a water quality measurement module extending downward from the flange and configured to be in submerged in water within the skimmer port when the flange is engaged with the skimmer port, the water quality measurement module being adapted to monitor water quality of the water and to send water quality information to a controller, the water quality measurement module comprising a measurement area adapted to be submerged in water within the skimmer port and a plurality of colorimetric test pads disposed in the measurement area, each test pad enclosed in a water and vapor-proof barrier; and

a communication mechanism configured to provide communication among the controller, the water quality measurement module, and a user.

20. The water quality management system of claim 19 further comprising a cassette in the measurement area, the plurality of colorimetric test pads being disposed in the cassette.

21. The water quality management system of claim 19 wherein the water quality measurement module further comprises a sensor disposed in the measurement area and adapted to sense a color change in a test pad for processing by the controller.

22. The water quality management system of claim 19 wherein the water quality measurement module further comprises a motor adapted to expose a test pad to water to permit water to reach the test pad.

23. The water quality management system of claim 19 wherein the measurement area comprises a water-sealed compartment and water quality monitoring electronics disposed within the compartment.

24. The water quality management system of claim 23 wherein the water quality monitoring electronics comprise a water quality sensor.

25. The water quality management system of claim 23 further comprising a cassette engaged with the water-sealed compartment, the plurality of colorimetric test pads disposed in the cassette.

26. The water quality management system of claim 25 further comprising a motor disposed in the water-sealed compartment and adapted to expose a test pad to water to permit water to reach the test pad.

27. A method of monitoring water in a pool, the method comprising:

engaging a flange with a skimmer port above water of the pool, the flange supporting a water quality management system comprising a measurement area and a plurality of colorimetric test pads in the measurement area, each test pad enclosed in a water and vapor-proof barrier;

extending the water quality measurement module downward from the flange into water of the pool, thereby submerging the measurement area in the water;

sensing a quality of the water with a sensor in the measurement area of the water quality management system; and

communicating the quality of the water to a user.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the sensing step comprises sensing a change in color of a test pad.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising exposing a test pad to the water.

30. The method of claim 29 further wherein the exposing step comprises operating a motor to expose a test pad to the water.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the test pads are disposed in a cassette.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the water quality management system further comprises a sealed compartment engaged with the cassette in the measurement area, the sensor being disposed in the sealed compartment, the sensing step comprising sensing a change in color in a test pad with the sensor.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the water quality management system further comprises a motor disposed in the sealed compartment, the method further comprising operating the motor to expose a test pad to the water.