The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub and spa industry, is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant. The winners will be honored at the PHTA Awards Ceremony at the International Pool, Spa, Patio Expo in Las Vegas, on Oct. 21, 2025.
Given in the memory of Dr. Robert Neil Lowry, a longtime member of PHTA and the PHTA Recreational Water and Air Quality Committee (RWAQC), this $5,000 grant honors a public health official or department who has made outstanding contributions to advance the public’s health and safe use of recreational water in pools, spas and waterparks through educational, safety, operational and technical programs.
“Knowing Neil at the beginning of my career in this industry impacted me in a profound way,” says Jody O’Grady, chair of the RWAQC. “His knowledge of applying chemistry to keep everyone safe through education was invaluable. I am proud to be chairing the committee that reviews and selects this award so his legacy, through education, will continue.”
To be considered for the Lowry Grant, the public health official or department must describe their planned or proposed program, the service provided and how it benefits public health and safety, the impact of the expected results and how the grant funds will be used. The nomination deadline is Aug. 1, 2025.
Past winners of the Lowry Grant include: Central Valley Health District, 2024; Craven County Environmental Health, 2023; Fishers Health Department, 2022; city of North Richland Hills, 2021; Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, 2019; Arizona Department of Health Services, 2018; Quechan Parks and Recreation, 2017; Riverside County California Department of Health, 2016; Columbus Public Health, 2015; Middlesex-London Health Unit of London, Ontario, 2014; Brevard County Environmental Health Services Department, 2013; Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, 2012; Alexandria Health Department, 2011; city of Houston, 2010; and city of Plano, 2009.
