Inside Wesley Chapel’s Crystal Lagoons

The science behind Epperson & Mirada — and what it costs to go

Wesley Chapel is home to two head‑turning attractions powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology: the Epperson Lagoon(the first of its kind in the U.S.) and the nearby Mirada Lagoon (currently billed as the largest in the country at ~15 acres). Together, they’ve turned east Pasco into Florida’s inland “beach day” without the drive. 

How they work (and why they look like the Caribbean)

Crystal Lagoons systems are engineered specifically for very large recreational water bodies. Instead of “treat everything, all the time” like a traditional pool, they use a combination of targeted disinfection, ultrasound‑aided clarification, selective filtration, and remote telemetry.

1) Pulse‑based disinfection, not continuous chlorination

Rather than keeping a high, constant disinfectant level, lagoons get controlled pulses of small amounts of approved additives (oxidants/micro‑biocides) delivered by injectors at set points around the lagoon. These pulses are timed by algorithms that respond to water‑quality data from on‑site sensors, so the system can use far fewer chemicals than a standard pool. Crystal Lagoons states up to 100× less compared with conventional pool technologies. 

What that means in practice: disinfectant is applied when and where it’s needed, not everywhere all day long.

2) Ultrasound + flocculation = filter only a small fraction

Ultrasound is used to help tiny suspended particles (the stuff that makes water look hazy) agglomerate into larger particles. A small dose of flocculant helps those clumps settle so they can be removed efficiently. Because the system can vacuum up settled solids from the bottom and send only that portion through a compact filtration train, Crystal Lagoons says it uses about 2% of the energy of a conventional pool filtration system and filters a much smaller volume overall (their materials describe up to ~300× less water needing filtration than traditional methods).

If you like the nuts and bolts: Crystal Lagoons patents describe a mobile suctioning device that travels the basin floor, pulling the solids‑rich layer to be filtered before the clarified water returns to the lagoon. The patent literature also references ultrasound and flocculant dosing as part of this “small‑fraction” filtration loop. 

3) 24/7 cloud monitoring and control

Lagoon sensors continuously report pH, oxidation‑reduction potential (ORP), turbidity/clarity and other parameters to the Crystal Lagoons Control Center (CLCC). Operators can adjust dosing, pumps and valves remotely to keep the water within target ranges.

4) Zoning the water (meeting different standards in one lagoon)

Another Crystal Lagoons patent family describes creating zones within a single lagoon that meet different water‑quality standards as local rules require — useful for combining swim zones, watercraft areas, and ornamental edges in one basin. 

5) Water supply & consumption

The lagoons are filled once and then operate as a closed system, topping off primarily to offset evaporation (similar to pools). Company materials highlight the option to use fresh, brackish or seawater and to reduce evaporation further with a proprietary surface film when desired. (Local utilities still regulate water sourcing and rates; Epperson’s initial fill, for example, was supplied by Pasco County utilities.) 

6) Scale and structure

Scale is where lagoons diverge most from pools. Epperson’s lagoon covers ~7.5 acres with a volume reported by the contractor at ~14.5 million gallons and features roughly 4,300 linear feet of shoreline with beaches and amenity zones. Mirada doubles that footprint to about 15 acres, which is why you’ll see swim areas, slides, paddleboards and even floating features spread across a resort‑sized waterbody. 

How this differs from a regular pool

Aspect

Crystal Lagoons

Typical Pool

Sanitation

Pulse‑based dosing via injectors; sensors & algorithms decide timing

Continuous residual disinfectant

Clarification

Ultrasound + flocculant, then vacuum the settled solids and filter a small fraction

Filter the entire volume 1–6× daily

Energy use

Company claims ~2% of centralized pool filtration energy

High, continuous pump/filtration load

Chemicals

Company claims up to 100× less than pool norms

Higher ongoing chemical demand

Operations

Remote telemetry & control center

On‑site manual control

Scale & experience

Acre‑scale with beaches, rentals, events

Yard‑ or deck‑scale swimming

Sources: Crystal Lagoons technology briefs and patents; engineering press coverage. 

Local context: Epperson & Mirada at a glance

• Epperson (Wesley Chapel): first U.S. Crystal Lagoon; about 7.5 acres; ~14.5 million gallons; beaches, slides, rentals, events.

• Mirada (San Antonio, just north of Wesley Chapel): ~15 acres and promoted as the largest lagoon in the U.S. 

Access & pricing (what it takes to get your family in)

You do not have to live in the community to visit either lagoon. Both Epperson and Mirada sell public day tickets. If you do live in a MetroPlaces lagoon community, there are separate resident memberships and perks (details below). 

The basics for visitors

• Buy tickets online — prices vary by date and demand, and the operator’s published policy is “Buy online and save up to $10 per ticket.” Gate prices can be up to $10 higher than online checkout. 

• All guests need a Day Ticket to enter; rentals don’t include admission. (This is an easy “gotcha” — cabanas, tikis, aquabanas, etc., are add‑ons.) 

• Discounts: Certain groups (e.g., military, first responders, teachers/students, etc.) periodically receive online‑only discounts via ID.me; a current Mirada offer lists 15% off for verified members. Some discounts don’t apply to Late Day tickets. 

• Late Day tickets are a thing (limited‑hour, lower‑price entries). Exact pricing is dynamic; policies confirm some offers exclude Late Day. Check the date you plan to visit. 

• “What else to budget for:”

  • Add‑ons (when available/seasonal): slides, obstacle courses, paddleboards, kayaks; bundles like “All Day Ticket + Splash Pass” sometimes include these activities. 

  • Premium areas (e.g., Cabana Cove) can include a private swim area and bar; note the 22% food & beverage service charge in those zones. 

  • Food rules: no outside food/drink or coolers (sealed water bottles allowed). Plan to buy on site. 

  • Capacity counting: for some rentals, guests age 5+ typically count toward capacity (confirm during checkout for your date). 

Ballpark family math: Because pricing is date‑based and shown only at checkout, the most reliable way to estimate is to select your exact day online, figure admissions (with the online savings), then add any activities (if you want slides/boards/obstacle courses) and optionally premium seating. The operator’s own pages are clear that prices and savings change and that online checkout reflects current rates.

Residents & members (if you live in a lagoon community)

Residents use a member portal and typically receive unlimited access to their “home” lagoon plus discounts on activities, premium seating and invites to resident‑only events. MetroPlaces has promoted monthly family membership fees (varied by community) and lists example benefits such as 20% off water activities and 50% off premium seating; tenants have a similar program. Always verify the current terms for your specific neighborhood.

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