What the pH numbers mean
Your pool’s pH level is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 and indicates how acidic or alkaline the water is. A pH of 7.0 means the water is basic; below 7.0 means the water is acidic; while above 7.0 means the water is alkaline. The levels change all the time, affected by factors including heavy rain, dirt, dust and the number of swimmers using the pool.
Why pH matters
Maintaining the correct pH for your pool is important for many reasons:
- The system works better – All sanitisers, including Enviroswim, become ineffective as the pH rises. The closer the pH is to neutral the more effective the system becomes and the more comfortable the water is for swimmers.
- It protects your pool from damage – Running a high pH can also cause scaling and staining on the pool surface as minerals come out of the water. It will also make the water cloudy and uncomfortable to swim in.
- It protects your system from corrosion – Acidic water caused by low pH levels will corrode pumps and other equipment if left unchecked. To avoid corrosion the pH should not be allowed to operate below 7.0 (acidic) for extended periods.
- It is safer and more comfortable for swimmers – The human body is naturally near the neutral point on the pH scale. A pH of lower than 7 means acidic water can sting swimmers’ eyes and leave skin dry and itchy. If the water pH is higher than 8, the chlorine loses its effectiveness, meaning swimmers are more at risk of skin rashes due to bacteria in the pool.
Healthy pools need proper pH
The disinfectant power of free chlorine is relative to the pH of the water. As pH increases, the chlorine becomes less effective. As pH decreases, the chlorine becomes more effective. The following extract from the NSW Department of Health shows how quickly chlorine loses its effectiveness as the pH rises.
Note the difference between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0 – a massive 72% drop in free chlorine efficacy!
|
pH |
Effectiveness of Free Chlorine |
|
6.0 |
97% |
|
7.0 |
75% |
|
7.2 |
63% |
|
7.5 |
49% |
|
7.6 |
39% |
|
7.8 |
28% |
|
8.0 |
3% |
Source: NSW Health Advisory Dec 2012
Enviroswim and pH levels
All sanitisers including Enviroswim become ineffective as the pH rises so it’s important to keep an eye on the pH levels of your pool.
Every swimming pool has its own pH and acid demand, it’s good practise to check and then adjust your pH using Hydrocloric acid every 7-14 days. You can also find more information on swimming pool water balance at the below link from the Swimming Pool and Spa Association.
Important: when adding chemicals to a pool you should always dilute in a bucket of water first, ALWAYS ADD CHEMICAL TO WATER….NEVER WATER TO CHEMICAL
Enviroswim patented technology is the only freshwater system which simultaneously uses three processes as part of our natural purification system. This includes an electronic oxidiser, ionisation (combination of silver and copper electrodes) and ultrasonics to meet the required sanitiser efficacy (kill rate of pool nasties) to keep your pool safe in freshwater.
Keeping your pH levels in check will ensure Enviroswim’s powerful oxidiser, copper and silver can work at their best.