You may have noticed that the pool water at your local pool reminds you of days spent at the ocean. It’s not your imagination your pool may taste a little salty.
Slowly all pools in the CHOA area of Charbonneau are being converted to Salt Water pools. No more Chlorine smell. The assumption that maintaining a healthy pool requires that you buy and handle chlorine on a regular basis is not quite accurate. Many pool owners are discovering the possibility of utilizing saltwater as a means for having a pool that is safe and clean. The salt content in this type of pool is proportionately the same as that in human tears. Hence, you can safely open your eyes even while underwater.
How does a Saltwater pool work? Saltwater swimming pools draw on dissolved salt in the water to generate chlorine. The salt system utilizes a process called electrolysis to break down or separate the salt also known as sodium chloride or NaCl in the water.
The chemical reaction created by electrolysis produces chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid. These sanitizing / disinfecting / oxidizing agents are the same as chlorine commonly used in swimming pools in solid and powdered form. This means a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine free. It simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of being dependent on chlorine added in other forms.
What should I expect
You will notice a “soft water” feel. If you have a water softener in your home, you know that the addition of salt makes water feel smooth and silky to the touch – like rain water. Most people prefer this to the sometimes-abrasive feel of chlorinated water.
A practical reason why we are converting to salt water pools, is they eliminate the need for most swimming pool chemical maintenance (which translates to lower maintenance costs). Sodium chloride (the result of the electrolysis process) reduces the accumulation of fungi and algae in the water. The result is less time spent cleaning the water and the pool surfaces.
How many pools have been converted so far?
So far C pool and F&G pool have been converted. This is a process that will take time, so know that your local pool is on the schedule.
Well I am off to the pool to enjoy the last few days of summer.
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