| TIPS ON REDUCING CHLORAMINES |
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| Although there are a few options available to pool operators looking to reduce chloramines in the pool environment, prevention and filtration go a long way.Showering: If bathers shower prior to swimming to remove perspiration, body oils and other lotions, it can reduce the development of chloramines substantially. Making sure children use the washroom frequently, so they do not urinate in the pool, can also lower chloramine levels.A good filter is key Enhancing filtration by adding granulated activated carbon, for example, will also help to remove chloramines and ammonia. Filtration is critical in pool and hot tub water sanitation and may require additional attention and manipulation. |
Conclusion
In North America, the standard protocol for water quality maintenance (WQM) is premised on the assumption that appropriate filtration and residual halogen disinfection will inactivate all pathogens. However, it is known that:
- It can take chlorine up to 45 minutes to deactivate Giardia;
- 30 to 60 minutes to deactivate Norovirus; and
- Crypto can linger in pool water for up to 10 days, as it is highly resistant to chlorine.
Unfortunately, RWIs are dramatically increasing and as a result health officials have acknowledged that a paradigm shift in the way pool and hot tub water is treated is needed. Moving beyond the basics of pool and hot tub water quality management will require revising the two-pillar approach, which includes filtration and halogen, followed by adopting a supplemental disinfection method.
In-line UV disinfection is recognized as an effective and reliable method for deactivating pathogens in pool and hot tub water, in addition to reducing bather exposure to DBPs. For instance, some public health authorities in Canada and the United States now mandate the use of supplemental in-line UV disinfection on public splash parks.
Moving beyond the basics of pool and hot tub water quality management will require revising the two-pillar approach, which includes filtration and halogen, followed by adopting a supplemental disinfection method.
Jeff Boynton is the director of sales and marketing for Delta Ultraviolet Solutions, a manufacturer of UV-C technology in Gardena, Ga. He is responsible for managing the company’s existing customers as well as growing sales in North America. Boynton has worked in the swimming pool and spa industry, primarily in Europe, for more than 22 years. He can be reached via e-mail at jeffb@deltauv.com or for more information, visit www.deltauv.com.
