Swimming Pool Basic Sanitation & Chlorine Info
Swimming Pool Sanitary Water is free from infection-causing and disease-causing microbes like bacteria, viruses and yeasts. It’s also free from algae that can shelter germs, cause falls (algae makes pool surface slippery) and spoil the appearance of water. There are multiple water tests that we can perform at your local pool company to ensure that we determine what is causing the problem and can then treat it effectively for you instead of blindly throwing chemicals into the pool.
To sanitize pool water, you must regularly add a swimming pool sanitizer (disinfectant) to kill these microorganisms, plus an oxidizer to destroy impurities the filter doesn’t catch like perspiration, urine, sunscreen, dust and pollen. Some sanitizers, notably chlorine, are oxidizers, too. Your local pool company will carry various sanitizers and oxidizers so that we can help a wide variety of pool issues.
pH level is important – At lower pH levels, 7.2 to 7.8, chlorine’s disinfecting ability is enhanced. Therefore, in that target pH range, you’ll get more disinfection for your money.
Chlorine exists in two basic forms: free and combined chlorine. Free chlorine reacts immediately with contaminants in the water until its fighting power is all used. The used-up chlorine is called combined chlorine; it’s smelly and irritating to bathers.
Ideal Range for Free Chlorine: 2.0-4.0 ppm in pools.
Free Chlorine Too Low
- Risk of transmitting infections and diseases
- Risk of algae growth
Free Chlorine Too High
- Uneconomical use of disinfectant
- Bleaching of hair, swim suits and pool surfaces
Keep Combined Chlorine at Ideal Range of 0 ppm in pools.
Combined Chlorine Too High
- Irritates bathers’ eyes and mucous membranes
- Causes strong “chlorine” odors