About
Our Story
Terry Ernst founded a small swimming pool construction company in 1974 that initially operated out of his own house and had only two employees. From this humble beginning, the business soon established a reputation for integrity and excellent pool construction.
In 1977, Terry rented 1,000 square feet of space on Warm Springs Road, where his first retail operation began. The following year, he expanded the business to 3,000 square feet by purchasing the building he was renting. By this time, the company had become a full-service swimming pool business, offering a wide range of services, including pool construction, installation, and cleaning, along with a complete line of pool chemicals and accessories.
Business Recognition
About a decade after founding his company, Terry was named Small Business Person of the Year by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Many other international awards for swimming pool and spa design followed, serving as proof that Aquarius Pools Construction Co., Inc. has become a recognized leader in the swimming pool and spa industry.
In 1987, as his business continued to grow, Terry moved the company to its present location, a new 10,000-square-foot building on Whittlesey Road. Over the years, Aquarius Pools Construction Co. Inc. has undergone several changes, yet has continued to offer the exceptional services and superior quality that it was founded on.
Company Products and Services Offered
10 Reasons Homeowners Love Aquarius Pools Construction Co. Inc.
- A+ Rating with the BBB
- Certified Pool Operator on Staff
- Custom Designs
- Exclusive Dealer for Hot Spring and Jacuzzi Hot Tubs
- Extensive Experience – Pool Construction, Service, and Retail Staff
- Free Expert Advice (Stop by our Store)
- 40 Years of Area Service
- Retail Stores in Columbus and Phenix City
- In-House Service Team
- Member of PHTA
Associations and Certifications
We are proud to be members of the following associations.
PHTA – “Pool and Hot Tub Alliance”
The PHTA was formed in 2019 following the merger of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and The National Swimming Pool Foundation. The merger was a logical move, as both organizations share the goal of making swimming safe, healthy, and fun.
PHTA is the world’s largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. It offers pool and hot tub education and certification programs, provides valuable membership benefits, develops trusted industry standards, and advocates for critical legislation.
PHTA members adhere to a code of ethics in business and technical practices and share a strong commitment to the safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of industry products.
BBB – “Better Business Bureau”
The BBB is a private, non-profit organization with the mission to promote and foster the highest ethical standards between companies and their customers in the areas of:
- Dependable Service
- Honesty In Advertising
- Honest Business Practices
- Reliable Complaint Handling Procedures
Examples of services provided by the BBB are Business Reliability Reports, Dispute Resolution, Truth-in-Advertising, Consumer and Business Education, and Charity Review.
To be a member of the BBB, an applicant must:
- Be invited to apply for membership by a staff person or the Director of the Bureau.
- Be actively engaged in business, in the BBB’s service area, for no less than six months.
- Supply background information about the company, its principles, and other information deemed essential to the BBB.
- Cooperate with the BBB’s activities and efforts to promote voluntary self-regulation within the business industry.
- Adhere to established BBB standards of advertising and selling, including the Code of Online Business Practices for online businesses that apply for the BBB Online Reliability logo, and cooperate with the BBB in matters relating thereto.
- Promptly respond to any and all complaints forwarded by the BBB, and make good faith efforts to resolve all such complaints in accordance with generally accepted good business practices.
- Comply with any decisions rendered through the Bureau’s or an alternative provider’s binding arbitration program.
- Eliminate the underlying causes of patterns of consumer complaints that the BBB may call to the company’s attention
- Be free from an unsatisfactory report at the BBB in whose service area the company is headquartered.
- Be free from any governmental action concerning the marketplace and its customers that demonstrates a significant failure of the company to support the principles and purposes of the BBB.
- Support the principles and purposes of the BBB and not engage in any activity that reflects unfavorably on the BBB and its members.
- Refrain from using the name or logo of the BBB for commercial, sales, or advertising purposes in any manner not specifically authorized in writing by the BBB.
- Promptly notify the Bureau of any changes in ownership, licensing status, addresses, telephone numbers, website, and any other information deemed necessary by the Bureau.
- Fulfill all licensing and bonding requirements of applicable city, county, state, and federal agencies and authorities, and provide license numbers upon application for BBB membership, and provide periodic updates upon request of the BBB.
Businesses earning the right to be included in this organization have a strong reputation for taking care of their customers.
CPO® - Certified Pool Operator®
The Certified Pool/Spa Operator® certification program has delivered more training than any other in the pool and spa industry since 1972, resulting in more than 200,000 successful CPO® certifications in 44 countries.
CPO® certification courses are designed to provide individuals with the basic knowledge, techniques, and skills of pool and spa operations. It covers 14-16 hours of information from the NSPF® Pool & Spa Operator™ Handbook (provided) and local codes taught by an NSPF® Instructor.
Instructors receive comprehensive training and certification to teach the CPO® certification program. These instructors represent every segment in the aquatic industry, including operators, health officials, service professionals, builders, manufacturers, property managers, retailers, and academicians. The training these instructors provide has helped protect millions of swimmers by reducing hazards at aquatic facilities.
The CPO® program is widely accepted by different health departments worldwide.