Ozone (O3)
The goal of all pool professionals is to eliminate risks from recreation water illnesses (RWIs) in the public and private pool market. There has been a greater acceptance of ozone technology as an effective means to prevent RWIs because it can improve public safety, as well as enhance water quality and reduce operating costs.
The acceptance of ozone has also spurred several manufacturers to interface their traditional sanitizers with ozone technology, delivering the ultimate water quality treatment.
There are two methods of ozone production:
- Corona discharge (CD), which uses electrical energy; and
- Ultraviolet (UV), which uses light energy.
Either method must be introduced into the circulation system downstream from all operating equipment and before the injection point of the residual disinfectant. CD generators produce ozone in higher concentrations and quantities in comparison to UV ozone generators. CD uses an electrical voltage—as air is exposed to the current, a ring of energy is created, which looks like a crown (corona). As air (or oxygen [O]) flows through the corona, the oxygen molecules are split apart and then combine back together to form (O3). When the pump is turned off, the ozonation process also ceases.
Ozone is a strong oxidizer of chloramines, (i.e. chlorine disinfection byproducts [DBPs]), which are formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter. Chloramines cause foul odours, irritation of the skin, eyes and ears, and cause damage to indoor air handling systems. Further, new research is pointing to disinfection byproducts as a cause of asthma in those who frequent aquatic facilities, especially those indoor.
Installing an ozone generator system will help to alleviate this concern because the DPBs are oxidized before they can affect bathers. Ozone sanitizing improves water quality and bather comfort, while providing a safer, more pleasurable swimming experience.
New technology for aquatic play features
Aquatic play features are growing in popularity and are not only found in waterparks anymore. Now they can be found at resorts, apartment complexes, and even in residential backyards. These unique interactive water environments require a special understanding of water care to prevent RWIs, which have been found at these facilities. As a result, more technologies are being adopted to reduce the risk.
Ongoing education in the public and private pool industries is also a must as these technologies play a vital role in the elimination of Cryptosporidium (Crypto) and other RWIs. The Aquatic Play Feature™ Handbook and online course, published by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF), describes how the unique aspects of these technologies require a new diligence and knowledge to properly operate them to maintain healthy water quality. The book and course focuses on risk reduction to the users, the employees, and the facility itself and emphasizes the importance of increased disinfection and an understanding of UV and ozone secondary disinfection systems (SDSs).
With the growing popularity of these water environments, it is important for pool contractors, engineers, service technicians, and retail store staff to know how to explain, design, and retrofit these supplemental systems into new and existing aquatic facilities. Everyone is needed to help combat these dreaded waterborne pathogens that cause RWIs.
Learning how water care systems operate requires education and research to understand the differences between the various technologies. Technology is the future; therefore, it is important for all aquatic professionals to embrace knowledge and become educated by attending as many training opportunities as possible to provide a safe and healthy aquatic environment.
Connie Gibson Centrella, MBA, is a professor and program director for the online Aquatic Engineering Degree Program at Keiser University eCampus. She is also the director of education for Team Horner as well as a sustainability officer, having been certified in the principles of ‘green’ and sustainable business practices. Centrella, an industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience in the aquatics field, is a five-time recipient of the Evelyn C. Keiser Teaching Excellence Award ‘Instructor of Distinction.’ She is also a former pool builder with extensive knowledge in pool construction, equipment installation and manufacturing, and a National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) certified pool/spa operator instructor, having trained more than 1,850 pool service technicians, retailers and instructors worldwide in the past 10 years.
