Rudy Stankowitz – Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Instructor
Rudy Stankowitz is a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) instructor, pool industry educator, researcher, and author with more than three decades of experience in the swimming pool and aquatic facility industry. Through CPOClass.com and Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, Rudy teaches Certified Pool Operator certification courses to pool service professionals, facility managers, health department personnel, and aquatic staff responsible for maintaining safe and compliant swimming pools. His instruction emphasizes not just learning the rules of pool operation, but understanding the science behind water chemistry, sanitation, circulation, and public health.
Rudy began his career in the swimming pool industry in 1991 after serving in the United States military. Since that time he has worked in virtually every sector of the industry, including pool service, retail, consulting, manufacturing, and professional education. This broad experience gives him a practical perspective that resonates with technicians and facility operators alike. His courses are known for blending real-world field experience with the technical principles required for proper aquatic facility operation.
Over the course of his career, Rudy has trained and certified thousands of pool operators across the United States. His Certified Pool Operator certification classes focus heavily on the scientific principles of water chemistry, filtration, and sanitation. Rather than simply memorizing numbers or regulations, Rudy teaches students how to understand the “why” behind water balance, disinfection, and circulation systems so they can make informed decisions when maintaining aquatic facilities.
In addition to teaching CPO certification courses, Rudy is a widely recognized writer and industry educator. He is a columnist for AQUA Magazine, one of the leading trade publications in the swimming pool and spa industry. His articles often explore advanced topics such as pool water chemistry, algae biology, sanitation methods, and aquatic facility management. His writing is known for translating complex chemical and microbiological concepts into practical knowledge that pool professionals can apply in the field.
Rudy Stankowitz has also contributed to ongoing discussions and research within the pool industry regarding the microbiology of swimming pool algae and cyanobacteria. His work documenting swimming pool black algae as a form of cyanobacteria biofilm has helped shift the understanding of how these organisms behave in aquatic environments and how they should be treated. His research and technical explanations have been referenced across industry publications and educational platforms.
Beyond the classroom and the written page, Rudy is also the host of the internationally recognized Talking Pools Podcast. The podcast brings together industry professionals from around the world to discuss water chemistry, equipment technology, workforce development, and the evolving challenges faced by pool service companies and aquatic facilities. Through these conversations, Rudy continues to share knowledge and mentor professionals entering the industry.
Rudy’s teaching philosophy is simple: when pool operators understand the science behind water chemistry and facility operation, maintaining safe and balanced water becomes far easier. His courses are designed to give students not just the certification required for their job, but the confidence and technical understanding needed to operate aquatic facilities responsibly.
Today, Rudy Stankowitz continues to teach Certified Pool Operator certification classes through CPOClass.com while writing, speaking, and educating pool professionals across the industry. His mission remains the same as when he first began teaching: to improve the knowledge and professionalism of pool operators so that aquatic facilities everywhere can operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with public health standards.
Professional Highlights
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Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Instructor
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President, Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants
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Columnist, AQUA Magazine
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Host, Talking Pools Podcast
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Over 30 years of experience in the swimming pool industry
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Instructor of CPO certification courses for aquatic professionals nationwide
Read More About Rudy HERE
Rudy’s Training Philosophy
The Certified Pool Operator certification course taught by Rudy Stankowitz focuses on understanding the principles of water chemistry, sanitation, and circulation systems that govern safe aquatic facility operation. Students learn how chemical reactions, filtration performance, and operational decisions affect swimmer safety and water quality. This science-based approach ensures that graduates of the program leave with both certification and practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the field.
Research and Industry Contributions
Rudy has also contributed original research and technical analysis to the swimming pool industry. In 2018 he documented that the organism commonly referred to as “black algae” in swimming pools is actually a cyanobacteria biofilm, a distinction that has important implications for treatment strategies and sanitation practices. This is detailed in his book How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae, available on Amazon. In 2019, he further developed and documented a chemical method for reducing cyanuric acid levels in swimming pool water using aluminum sulfate, a compound historically used in municipal water treatment for flocculation and contaminant removal. His work demonstrated that aluminum hydroxide floc formation can remove cyanuric acid through adsorption and sedimentation, providing an alternative remediation approach in situations where dilution is impractical. These findings have been widely discussed within the pool industry and continue to influence conversations about advanced water-chemistry management.
Online Education and On-Demand Training
In addition to teaching in-person Certified Pool Operator courses, Rudy Stankowitz also provides on-demand professional education for pool service professionals through OnlinePoolClasses.com. These self-paced courses allow technicians, service company owners, and aquatic facility staff to expand their knowledge of pool water chemistry, algae biology, and advanced treatment strategies at their own pace. The platform was created to make deeper technical training accessible to pool professionals who want to better understand the science behind water balance, sanitation, and algae control beyond the scope of traditional certification programs.
