Pool Sanitization

Pool sanitization is an important part of the pool building process and can be a difficult decision for most people.

The typical method of keeping one’s pool clean is Chlorine, but in this article we’ll talk about other methods as well. Check out each method below so you can pick which option you think is the right one for you and your family.

Chlorine

Chlorine is by far the most popular because of its effectiveness and availability in liquid, gas, or solid form. Chlorine’s long half-life allows it to be stored for long periods of time. It also continues to break down bacteria for a long after its addition to the pool. However, chlorine has some downsides. Chlorine dissipates quickly so your pool must be tested regularly if using this chemical. It can also be irritating to swimmers as its byproducts affect eyes and skin. Beyond this irritation, chlorine has been associated with various health issues such as chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

Ozone

This is our go-to. Ozone is 100 times stronger than chlorine, allowing a smaller amount of chemicals to be used. Ozone also aides in reducing pool maintenance as it breaks down grease and oils that clog filters. Ozone does not affect pH levels of pools and thus requires less adjustment. However, ozone also has its cons. It has a short half-life and thus must be used quickly after being manufactured. However, this is rarely an issue for customers. The ozone gas itself can also be harmful in high concentrations, but this would only happen in a major accident. Ozone is not perfect, but, in our eyes, it is the closest method we have as its issues can easily be solved.

Bromine

Another option for pool sanitization is bromine. Bromine is very similar to chlorine but has different strengths and waste products. Bromine is more stable than chlorine and works for a longer time. It also has a less pungent smell, but its smell can be harder to get rid of. Bromine is less popular because it is overall weaker than chlorine, not to mention more expensive.

Ionizers

Ionizers release ions into pools to kill bacteria and as a result,  reduce the need for swimming pool chemicals. The ions also do not harm pool equipment and are inexpensive to maintain. However, ionizers are rarely used because they require more maintenance. Ionizers do not oxidize pool water and take hours to fight contaminants. They also affect a pool’s pH and actually need the addition of chlorine to sufficiently sanitize a pool. Thus, ionizers are rarely used because of their complexity and necessary attention.

These are the four most common methods of pool sanitization that Sunset Designers and Builders uses. All four are effective ways of sanitizing a pool, but we personally prefer the ozone method. We do this via the company UltraPure. The next blog will go more into detail about UltraPure and the process of sanitizing through ozone!