DO HIGH LEVELS OF CHLORINE CAUSE BATHING SUITS TO DISINTEGRATE

Frequently Asked Questions

DO HIGH LEVELS OF CHLORINE CAUSE BATHING SUITS TO DISINTEGRATE?
Actually clothes washed in a typical washing machine are exposed to much higher levels of chlorine than bathing suits worn in a swimming pool. Most commercial pools maintain free chlorine levels of 1.0 to 10.0 parts per million. Adding two ounces of typical laundry bleach to a wash load raises the chlorine level to 83 parts per million.

FECAL CONTAMINATION IN THE POOL

ACCORDING TO THE ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Outbreaks of disease have been associated with pool water contaminated with feces. When fecal matter is observed, the pool shall be immediately closed and the fecal matter removed. The pool shall be super-chlorinated, the water filtered for at least 24 hours and the filters backwashed prior to reopening the pool. The same procedure should be used if a dead animal is found in the pool. For more information contact the Orange County Health Department.

TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF A FECAL CONTAMINATION

Do not allow pets in the pool area
Remove street shoes when walking on the pool deck
Have children wear swimsuit diapers if not yet toilet trained
Have children use the restroom before entering the pool

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PERFORM PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE POOL EQUIPMENT?

Prevents breakdowns of equipment and costly repairs
Extends life expectancy of equipment

TYPES OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Filter Cleaning - Dismantling of filters, cleaning of filter grids, inspection of grids, replace tank body o'rings and replace D.E. (for Diatomaceous Earth Filters). This should be completed every 4 months to keep the filter in good operation. Sand Filters - Should be inspected every year for proper operation.
Conditioner - Should be added to the pool 2 times per year. Conditioner (or Cyanuric Acid) helps chlorine last longer in the pool by bonding with the chlorine ions, not allowing the ultraviolet rays to degrade the chlorine as quickly.
Algaecides should be added to the pool every 3 months to control algae growth.

PROBLEMS CAUSE BY ALGAE

Growth on pool surface, can be slippery
Increased chlorine demand
Increase in pH readings
It is a bacteria

WATER BALANCE

WHAT 5 FACTORS INFLUENCE WATER BALANCE IN A SWIMMING POOL?

pH
Total Alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Water Temperature
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

PH
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Orange County Health Department requires that all swimming pools keep a pH level between 7.2 and 7.8. Acid (0)-------------------Neutral(7)--------------------Base(14)

TOTAL ALKALINITY
Measures the changes in water to pH changes. Ideal range is 100-120 parts per million for pool water.

CALCIUM HARDNESS
Measure of the hardness or calcium ion content of the water. Problems with hard water:

Causes scale
PH raises
Water becomes cloudy
Flow rate is decreased

WATER TEMPERATURE
The usual temperature for a heated pool is 82 degrees to 85 degrees. The maximum temperature for a spa is 104 degrees.

Water temperature affects water balance:

The amount of chemicals needed increases with warmer pool temperatures
Calcium is less soluble in warm water
Chemical usage increases as temperature increases

TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)
TDS are all products dissolved in the water. Includes chemicals, debris entering pool from environment and swimmer waste products.

When TDS levels increase:

Chlorine effectiveness is reduced
Algae growth increases
Water becomes cloudy
Scaling increases
Staining of plaster increases

IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRAIN AND REFILL THE POOL WHEN TDS LEVELS ARE OVER 2500 PPM!