Testing water integrity: It is all about having the right information

By Des Caruana

Pool installations are becoming more complex by the day; commercial and residential modern day mechanical equipment can make even a seasoned operator a little apprehensive. Chemical controllers, filters, heaters, and even lights can now all be monitored and operated from halfway across the world. When looking at all the technology, filters with touch screens, and chemical controllers lighting up in different colours, one must remind themself of this simple principle: a pool is a shell that needs to have balanced water.

Water must get from the shell into the mechanical room by way of a pump or, in some cases, several pumps. The water needs to get filtered, heated, chemically treated, and then returned to the pool shell. In many installations, there is also the addition of ultraviolet (UV) and ozone.

Operators should never underestimate the importance of a person performing daily mechanical room observations or preventative and daily maintenance as technology does not eliminate the importance of water testing and water balancing. As complicated and complex as these pools and mechanical systems can get, one must always remember to keep things simple.