Keeping your pool clean and safe is more than just skimming and scrubbing. Proper pool sanitation is key to preventing the spread of waterborne illnesses and keeping swimmers healthy. Chlorine is the most used disinfectant for pools but you need to understand the different forms of chlorine and how to maintain their levels.

Free Chlorine:

Free chlorine is the chlorine available to kill bacteria, viruses and other bad guys in the water. It’s the most effective form of chlorine for pool sanitation. When free chlorine levels are too low the water becomes a breeding ground for bad pathogens. But high levels of free chlorine can cause skin and eye irritation and even damage pool equipment.

Combined Chlorine:

When free chlorine combines with contaminants in the water like sweat, urine and feces it creates combined chlorine. Combined chlorine is also known as chloramines and has a strong odor and causes eye and skin irritation. It’s not effective in killing bacteria and other pathogens. Combined chlorine needs to be oxidized to break it down and convert it back to free chlorine. This process is called shocking the pool.

Total Chlorine:

Total chlorine is the sum of free and combined chlorine levels in the pool. You need to monitor total chlorine levels to make sure free chlorine levels are not too low and combined chlorine levels are not too high. Total chlorine levels should be between 1-4 parts per million (ppm).

How Does Chlorine Work in a Pool?

Chlorine releases hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ions (OCl-) into the water. Hypochlorous acid is the most effective form of chlorine in killing bacteria and other bad guys. When HOCl combines with contaminants in the water it creates chloramines or combined chlorine. To maintain proper pool sanitation the level of HOCl must be greater than the level of contaminants in the water.

Proper pool maintenance and sanitation requires regular testing of chlorine levels and adjusting them as needed. Chlorine levels should be tested at least twice a week during the swimming season and more often during heavy use or hot weather. Chlorine should be added to the pool slowly and incrementally to avoid overchlorination.

Why Should Pool Owners Care About Chlorine Levels?

Pool owners should care about chlorine levels because chlorine is the most used and effective disinfectant to kill bacteria, viruses and other bad guys in the pool. These bad guys can cause a range of illnesses and infections including diarrhea, swimmer’s ear, skin rashes and respiratory infections. By maintaining proper chlorine levels pool owners can prevent the spread of these waterborne illnesses and keep their swimmers healthy.

In addition to pool sanitation proper chlorine levels also protect the pool itself. High levels of chlorine can cause corrosion and damage to pool equipment while low levels can cause algae growth, staining and other water quality issues. Regular testing and adjustment of chlorine levels can prevent these problems and extend the life of the pool and its equipment.

Finally pool owners have a responsibility to make sure their pool is safe and healthy for swimmers. Proper pool maintenance and sanitation including maintaining proper chlorine levels is key to fulfilling this responsibility and providing an enjoyable and safe swimming experience for everyone who uses the pool.

Where to Get More Help

Clearly maintaining proper levels of free chlorine, combined chlorine and total chlorine is key to pool sanitation and swimmer health. Understanding the different forms of chlorine and how chlorine works chemically in a pool will help pool owners and operators keep a clean and safe swimming environment. And remember there is no substitute for professional pool maintenance especially when it comes to chemicals. Contact us for a no obligation chat about how we can help today.