Restoring pool and hot tub water to its original state

SWIMMING POOL WATER CONSERVATION TIPS

• Have pools tested for leaks and repair any visible leaks immediately. • Pools should be kept covered when not in use to minimize evaporation, especially at night. • Use a liquid solar cover in the spring and fall. • Do not overfill or leave running water unattended when topping off the pool. Install an automatic fill device, which turns on and off to keep water at the proper level. • Keep the filter and circulation system maintained and running properly. Properly maintained systems can lead to better water quality and lessen the need for heavy chemical use, which leads to more frequent draining. • Use chemicals judiciously and always try to use the least amount possible to achieve the intended purpose. • Small, frequent draining and refilling of the pool can actually lengthen the pool water’s life and help prevent the need to drain the entire pool at once. For example, drain below the waterline a few inches and then refill with fresh water weekly. This method will keep pool water fresher and help to avoid a big draining.

Reducing hardness and solids when draining is restricted

What options are available if a swimming pool requires draining but this action is restricted? One option is the use of reverse osmosis (RO). This technology, which uses a pressurized membrane unit to separate molecules and ions from the solution, has been used in water treatment for many years. Also referred to as nano-filtration, RO is used to separate solids (e.g. salts) from water to reduce salinity and hardness with little impact on the pool’s water supply.

Old-school treatment creates unsustainable water

Many water treatment methods involve the introduction of large amounts of salt-based chemicals, which build-up as dissolved solids and lead to oversaturated water. This makes balancing the water more difficult and increases the amount of sanitizer needed to keep a residual.

The amount of chemicals required to keep pool water clean and sanitary can be reduced greatly by using a proper filtration system. Many pools are built with undersized circulation pumps and filter units, which lead to dead spots and poor water circulation and filtration. In these cases, chemicals are needed more frequently, and at higher doses, as the water is not being cleaned properly. This is another reason why natural-based clarifiers, which help to remove organic waste more quickly, are beneficial.

Many sanitizers contain by-products that get left behind in the pool water. Trichloroisocyanuric acid (C₃Cl₃N₃O₃) ‘tri-chlor’ is one example of chlorine that also contains cyanuric acid (CNOH)₃. The by-product of using tri-chlor as a swimming pool sanitizer is the increase in cynauric acid levels, which adds to total dissolved solids (TDS) and leads to oversaturation of the water. The old-school method of treating every water quality problem with lots of chemicals needs to be re-evaluated. With better filtration systems and proper care and maintenance, swimming pools will remain clean and clear with minimal chemical use.

Keeping pool water cleaner, longer

The key to maintaining clean pool water is to keep it balanced and sanitized by using as little chemical as possible. Again, this is where proper equipment sizing and understanding the chemical by-products help. For example, many products used for metals contain phosphates as a by-product; therefore, when these products are used, phosphate levels and overall solids also increase. Using the appropriate chlorine sanitizer for the type of source water being used is also important.

If the water used to fill a swimming pool is taken from an area where high calcium hardness levels exist, it would not be wise to use calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo) (Ca[ClO]₂) as this will lead to an oversaturation of calcium and the need to drain water from the pool. Cal-hypo is better suited for areas with soft water, where natural calcium is lacking and is required to keep the water from being overly corrosive.

Use specialty chemicals judiciously. Look for products that remove as opposed to those that leave lots of by-product behind. Again, natural clarifiers work by gathering small micron-organic waste and removing it to the filter. Phosphate remover efficiently rids contaminants from the pool water by taking it to the filter where it is eventually backwashed out. Chemicals that remove more than they add are beneficial in keeping pool water sustainable for longer periods of time.

Become a water advocate

The pool industry will be under much more scrutiny as water continues to be an issue of supply and demand. This will come from government regulators, environmental organizations, and the general public.

Positive goodwill can be created based on how the industry views and treats swimming pool water day in and day out. This starts with basic water education. Partnering with local water officials and municipalities is also a positive way to stay informed and offer help in times of drought or emergency.

Further, volunteering to educate both the industry and consumers how pools and hot tubs can conserve water and be used in times of emergency is another positive. For example, pool water can be used to fight brush fires, and in extreme cases it can also be used for flushing toilets and watering.

It is important to always use water wisely and purposefully. Never leave water running when completing filter maintenance work or during swimming pool refills. Also, practice the routine of frequent, small draining and dilution to keep pool water fresh and avoid having to drain and refill the entire pool in one shot. This will help to maintain lower solid levels as well as lead to less chemical usage. Water is an important ingredient in everyday life, how it is treated will determine its future.

Terry Arko has more than 30 years’ experience in the swimming pool and spa industry, working in service, repair, retail sales, chemical manufacturing, customer service, sales and product development. He is also a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and CPO Instructor through the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). Arko is currently product specialist for SeaKlear Pool and Spa Products a subsidiary of Halosource Inc., a clean water technology company based in Bothell, Wash. He can be reached via e-mail at tarko@seaklear.com.