At each of our Five Star Swim School locations, we maintain a clean and safe pool using a salt water system. It is important to us that we provide all of our customers with water that is not only warm all year long, but water that is easy on the eyes and skin as well.
By eliminating the frequent use of harmful liquid chlorine chemicals, we are able to ensure those who enjoy swim lessons, open swim and birthday parties alike are in a comfortable environment even after they exit the pool. You may be wondering how this system works, why it is more beneficial than traditional methods or how exactly this system makes the water less irritating. Continue reading this blog post to find out the answers!
To get things started, we pour over 100 pounds of salt into the pool! A large brush is used to mix things up until the salt is dissolved. It is important that the salt is totally mixed in before it passes through the “salt cell”; which is where the magic (or science) happens. Contrary to popular belief, a pool that uses a salt system is not chlorine-free. The sodium chloride (salt) is used to produce a “softer” form of chlorine.
With the use of a salt water system, the same sanitizing chemicals present in liquid or tablet forms of chlorine are produced from salt by electrolysis. The salt cell contains titanium plates that are coated in a transition metal such as iridium or ruthenium. The plates are placed parallel to each other and have opposing charges. The plates attract and extract minerals from the water. The charge of these plates is determined by the setting the cell is set to. The setting of the cell is dependent on the PH and free chlorine levels of the pool. These levels are tested every two hours so there is virtually no way the water can reach an unsafe level, as the setting would be adjusted when the results indicated a drop in either component. Salt water systems can be a safer alternative considering the unlikelihood of a generator producing more chlorine than necessary.
This method of pool water sanitization is the preferred option for those whose bodies are often irritated by the harsh chemicals present in most pools. The usable component in all pool treatment methods is free chlorine. Chloramines are created when that sanitizing agent reacts with bodily fluids and contaminants. It has been found that pool water with a high concentration of chloramines is the cause of the common eye and skin irritation associated with chlorine. The systems used at our facilities eliminate this concern because as the cell generates chlorine, it also burns off chloramines, making for a solution that is both clean and comfortable.
Despite the excellent performance of a salt cell, occasionally, additional disinfection is required. In order to “shock” or “reset” the water, liquid chlorine must be poured into the pool at the end of the week or after an incident. In the event of an accidental pool contamination, 1 to 2 gallons of chlorine must be added to fight off the bacteria. During a shock, no more than 3 gallons are added, depending on the levels of the pool prior to the addition of chlorine. Shocking the pool is done once a week during a break where it will be unoccupied for a long period of time. This allows the pool to be settled and tested prior to re-opening in order to ensure the levels are not too high, in which case neutralizing agents are added.
All in all, a salt water system can easily be considered a bit superior to traditional methods. We are proud to provide each and every one of our pool guests with an all around incredible experience. By using a salt system in all of our facilities, we are able to maintain high quality services in safe, warm pool water!
