Why is PH so important?
Maintaining a pool’s PH (Potential Hydrogen) is critical in providing a safe swimming environment. If the PH is too low the water becomes acidic and if the PH is too high the water becomes alkaline. A balance between acidity and alkalinity needs to be constantly controlled for optimum swimming conditions and sanitiser performance.
Low PH results in;
- Increased chlorine usage
- Higher risk of chloramines formation
- Skin and eye irritations
- Etching of concrete and grouting
- Wrinkling on vinyl liners
- Corrodes equipment and accessories
High PH results in;
- Pool chlorine efficiency
- Increased risk of scale formation (the white substance found at the base of pools and on chlorinator cell plates)
- Skin and eye irritations
- Potential for cloudy water
- Shorter filter cycles
- Excessive back washing
There are a number of causes that influence potential changes for PH in pool water;
- Fill water (bore water [ground water] is often associated with high PH, whilst exposure to fall-out from some industries such as mining can result in low PH)
- Pool chemicals
- Ozonators (the hydroxide by-product of ozone generation raises the PH up)
- Environmental contamination (dust, bushfire fallout, agricultural sprays and general pollution)
- Rainfall
- Swimmer wastes (sunscreen lotions, make up, phlegm, sweat, urine, faecal matter)
- Algae
- PH ranges from 0-14 with the Australian standard being 7.2-7.8.
- Adding Buffer (Sodium Bicarbonate) or Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) will increase a pool’s PH if the level is low.
- Adding Hydrochloric Acid or Dry Acid (Sodium Bisulphate) will decrease a pool’s PH if the level is high.
- Ultimately, regular testing (once a week) of your pool’s PH level is paramount in maintaining a healthy swimming environment and assisting in satisfactory chlorine levels.
