It doesn't really say HOW it damages them though. So is the "expensive cleanup" less because of actual damage, or just because they don't want residual soap continuing to cause bubbles?

Only thing I can think is valid is that it could maybe gum up the filters. But what the heck kind of filters are on those fountains? I can't imagine it's the same as the big grids we have for our pool pump. But even so, we can just wash our filter grids with a high pressure sprayer and it's done.

94chem said:

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No dog in this debate, but here's an opinion:

https://www.groundsguys.com/blog/2015/august/you-ve-been-soaped-now-what-/

As a chemist, I don't know. I try to avoid learning about pumps. That's an engineering thing and I find it boring.

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The only costs I honestly see, beyond labor, is the anti-foam agent. Maybe the new algae growth chemicals as well.

Cooling towers have foaming issues. proteins from algae/bacteria, when they die, create a great stablizing agent for bubbles. Same idea on beer/fermentation. For CW towers, since you aren't drinking the water, they use silicone based anti-foaming agents. But they have a 5 gallon bucket and 'dose' with a butter size container. The prices I saw, last I saw, was like $200-$300 for a bucket of it.

I can also see cleaning the fountain and such is using water as well. But the fountains I've seen or pumps that dealt with it were either pool filters at best. Most were there to stop trash from getting in; think leaves and such.

NOW, if you put in so much soap that you stablize the bubbles wiht all the available water and then the pump runs dry? THAT can cause issues; 100% agree with that. But that's a s-load of soap you're putting in.

~egon