On the other hand, the use of trichlor as a sanitizer over time can reduce TA due to the quantity applied and the pH balance of the water source and rainwater. To ensure a well-balanced pH level between 7.2 and 7.6, it is essential to measure TA weekly and maintain it within the range of 80 to 150 ppm.
Influence of water temperature on sanitizer and water balance
The water temperature is a critical non-chemical factor to consider, especially during extreme conditions. It plays a significant role in calculating the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and affects chlorine’s ability to control bacteria, algae, and other micro-organisms. The overall water balance evaluation involves taking into account temperature, water hardness, TA, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Higher temperatures tend to promote scaling conditions, while lower temperatures can create corrosive conditions.
During the first half of the season, warmer water combined with high TA and calcium hardness can cause calcium to precipitate out of the solution and form scale deposits. Scale is not only unsightly and difficult to remove, but it can also cause problems for pool equipment. In the case of a chlorine-generator, scale formation on the electrolytic cell can lead to reduced performance and a shorter lifespan. Regular cleaning of the cell with an acidic solution is necessary to remove any hard deposits, and adding a calcium sequestering agent monthly can help prevent scale formation, especially in pools with higher TA levels.
Warm water also has a significant impact on chlorine effectiveness. Chlorine degrades more rapidly in warmer conditions, especially if there is not enough stabilizer present to protect it from UV sunlight. During the warm months of June and July, water temperatures can exceed the usual 25 to 27 C (78 to 82 F) range in some places. This can lead to faster dissolution of slow-dissolving chlorine tablets, requiring more frequent replacements if the free chlorine residual is not maintained. Additionally, the warm and wet environment provides a comfortable breeding ground for organisms, which increases the workload for free chlorine.
| Tailoring enzyme packages for different pool environments |
| Bather waste containing proteins, starches, oils, and greases can pose challenges for chlorine to break down effectively. While chlorine can oxidize and break down most of these waste products, it also gets consumed in the process, leading to reduced effectiveness in killing bacteria. Incorporating supplemental compounds with enzymes can alleviate this burden on chlorine, enabling it to concentrate on eliminating harmful bacteria and nitrogenous compounds more efficiently.
Selecting the appropriate enzyme package during new product development is a critical and intricate process to optimize performance. The choice of enzymes should be based on the specific environment where the product will be used and the type of organic materials it aims to remove. Enzymes can be naturally occurring through controlled biological processes or produced synthetically. Regardless of their origin, enzymes exhibit high selectivity and only target specific structures. This selectivity is a result of the relationship between the target’s shape, the substrate, and the active site where the reaction takes place. The active sites are uniquely shaped to fit and merge with specific substrates, much like pieces of a puzzle. Pool products offering a broad range of enzymes tend to be more effective than those containing only one or two types. The types of waste present in pools may differ from those found in spas. Therefore, the enzymes chosen for pool products should address a variety of waste sources, including those from biological or environmental origins. For example, amylases can break down starches released during the degradation of algae or leaf debris, while proteases help break down waste from animals or swimmers. Conversely, the enzyme package used for pools might be ineffective when used in spas. In spas, waste matter often comes from biological sources, and enzymes like lipase or mannanase are needed to target fatty and oily residues left behind from lotions, hair products, or body oils, which tend to accumulate due to the warmer water temperature. Further, the enzyme packages used in commercial pools and spas would differ from those used in recreational pools. Commercial pool operators frequently use automatic feeders to provide continuous, metered doses of enzymes. This supplementation helps avoid inconvenient pool downtime, which is often accompanied by high chlorine residuals after a remediation treatment. |
Regularly testing measurable free chlorine levels is crucial, especially as more swimmers take advantage of the warmer water. If testing reveals a need for more chlorine, a booster shock may be necessary to break up combined chlorine, or adjustments to the chlorinator’s output may be required. It is essential to understand the pool’s behaviour, events, and the surrounding environment throughout the summer to make appropriate adjustments to the maintenance routine.
The warm and wet environment also encourages algae growth. Regularly brushing stagnant areas at least weekly is necessary, and using a maintenance algaecide weekly instead of biweekly should be considered. Quat-based algaecides can handle most types of algae, but in areas where more resistant types are common, polyquat or chelated copper-based algaecides would be better choices. The frequency and amount of free chlorine replenishment vary based on factors such as water circulation, filtration patterns, bather load, source water, and the natural surroundings.
