An Interview with Kasco’s Mechanical Engineer, Ian Waters | March 10, 2026
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Kasco is excited to announce the expansion of our WaterGlow product line. We sat down with Ian Waters, our Mechanical Design Engineer, to learn about the inspiration, design process, and exciting features behind the newest additions to the line—the W25 and RGBW18 lights. From brighter illumination to full color customization, these new systems are designed for optimal coverage and saturation, creating a stunning display.

Why was the WaterGlow line expanded to offer these new systems?

Technology is always evolving and as newer electronics have become more efficient, compact, and user-friendly, we saw a great opportunity to bring those improvements to our WaterGlow product line. The new W25 and RGBW18 lights let us take advantage of these advancements, giving customers better performance, easier installation, and more flexibility than ever before.

What is a W25 light and what are the key features/benefits?

The W25 is our new white-only light kit designed to deliver a cool, modern look with a 4000K LED glow. This light kit is the brightest light we have ever offered in the WaterGlow line, producing an average of 3,569 lumens per fixture and 25 watts going to each LED board. No controller is required, making it completely plug-and-play, and the perfect choice for anyone who wants a bold, reliable illumination.

What is an RGBW18 light and what are the key features/benefits?

The RGBW18 is our new color-changing light kit that gives you complete creative control. These kits deliver 18 watts and 1,272 lumens per fixture for a bright, full display. With access to the full color spectrum, and the ability to control each LED independently, you can easily change the mood for any setting.

One of the main features of these kits is that they can be easily controlled through an app (available on iOS, Android, and Windows). With a wireless range of around 400 feet, the app allows you to create up to 10 custom lighting effects and even build a personalized 7-day schedule, so your lights change automatically without any daily adjustments.

Note: If the lights are used with a GFCI-protected control panel that includes an integrated timer, that timer will override the app’s internal clock in the lighting system.

Additionally, when connected to a centralized network, these kits can be integrated with smart home devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, making it easier than ever to manage your light settings.

What were the main objectives when designing these new systems?

When designing the W25 and RGBW18 systems, our goal was to make them more powerful, more flexible, and easier to install. We started by creating one universal power cord that works with both systems, giving installers fewer parts to manage and more consistency in the field. From there, we upgraded key electrical components to deliver a brighter, richer light output while also reducing the weight of each fixture for easier handling.

We also put a big focus on making these systems easier to install and customize. Both use snap-on clips for quick setup, with optional hardware included for a more secure installation when needed, and multiple mounting heights make it simple to adapt to different site conditions. Plus, because each fixture is significantly brighter, fewer lights are needed. In many cases where six light fixtures were required with our older offerings, the same level of illumination can be achieved with just three to four W25 or RGBW18 lights.

Can you elaborate on some of the design, implementation, and testing involved?

A lot of thoughtful design and testing went into making these new systems easier to use and more reliable. For the RGBW18, we moved the driver module onto the float in the form of a “control fixture”. This allowed us to simplify the cabling and invest more into the parts that boost light performance.

We also built in self-resetting thermal protection to help prevent overheating if a light isn’t installed at the ideal depth. Other small upgrades include a domed lens to reduce corrosion and a simpler strain relief design to help improve durability and take the guesswork out of setup.

What challenges did you encounter during the design process?

At the beginning of this project, one of the biggest challenges was figuring out exactly what a successful redesign would look like. To guide us, we turned to customer feedback on Kasco’s existing light offerings and used those insights to shape the next generation. For our team, engineering and innovation are all about learning from past experiences and applying those lessons to create a better, more user-friendly product.

What are you most excited about with these new lights?

I’m really excited to see how people use the customizable features of the new RGBW18 lights. With full control over colors and effects, the possibilities are endless. For example, a school could create a custom effect that matches its team colors, adding a personal touch. With the W25 lights, users will get to experience their water displays in full, thanks to bright, even illumination that brings the entire pattern to life like never before.

The new W25 and RGBW18 lights represent a big step forward for the WaterGlow line, combining smart engineering with practical features and creative flexibility. Whether you’re looking for a bold, crisp white display or a fully customizable color show, these lights make it easy to bring water features to life. With thoughtful design, improved performance, and intuitive controls, we can’t wait to see how users make these lights their own.