An Open Letter to the Pool Industry on PVC Liner Safety

To: Customers, Pool Owners, and the Swimming Pool Industry,

Recently, a competing stainless steel corrugated plunge pool manufacturer has been publishing posts on social media suggesting that PVC (vinyl) pool liners are unsafe for swimmers. These claims, framed as health warnings, are misleading, unsubstantiated, and at odds with decades of safe, proven use across the global pool industry.

At Outback, we believe it’s important to set the record straight—not only for our valued customers, but also for our fellow vinyl providers and the wider swimming pool community.

The Facts About PVC Liners

PVC liners are not a niche solution—they are the industry standard and have been for decades. Consider the following:

• Major Australian brands including Albatross, Clark Rubber, Sterns, Driclad, Classic Pools, Intex, and Bestway have been supplying vinyl liner pools successfully for more than 50 years, along with the large replacement and renovation market.
• It is estimated that there are over 400,000 vinyl liner pools in use across Australia today, representing about one-third of all residential pools.
• In the United States alone, there are more than 10 million liner pools in use, enjoyed safely by families every day.
• The largest swimming pool in the world, San Alfonso del Mar in Chile, holds over 1 million litres of water—and it relies on a vinyl liner.

If PVC liners posed the health risks being claimed, entire industries—particularly portable and above-ground pools—would simply not exist.

Why the Industry Chooses PVC

PVC liners continue to dominate worldwide because they offer:

• Flexibility – contouring seamlessly to different pool shapes and surfaces, with a wide range of colours and finishes.
• Reliable Waterproofing – proven as the most effective barrier for protecting pool structures, even for repairing cracks and leaks.
• Superior Chemical Resistance – designed to withstand chlorine, salt, and sanitizers better than most alternatives.
• Durability and Longevity – when properly maintained, liners can last for over 30 years.
• Family-Friendly Surfaces – smooth, safe, and comfortable for swimmers.

Buyer Beware

When a competitor resorts to fear-driven propaganda instead of honest comparison, it raises questions about their confidence in their own product. Stainless steel shells may have their place, but attempting to discredit PVC liners—a proven global standard—through scare tactics is both irresponsible and misleading.

We encourage all customers to do their own research, consult independent sources, and recognise when misinformation is being used as a sales tactic. Pools are long-term family investments, and decisions should be based on facts, not fear.

Our Commitment

At Outback, we are proud to combine corrugated tank pool strength and safety with the proven global reliability of vinyl liners. We stand by the use of liners as the best solution for waterproofing, chemical resistance, and long-term peace of mind for our customers.

To our customers: thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. We will always operate with transparency and integrity—because when it comes to your family’s pool, peace of mind should come from facts, not fiction.

Sincerely,

Beau Rixon
Managing Director
Outback Plunge Pools