Clarifying common myths about pool water chemistry

There is a lot of misinformation around about the chemistry of pool water. Some of these have developed into urban myths like the chemical that detects urine and changes the watercolour. It is always best to have good information so that you can take care of your home pool to the best of your ability.

Here are some common myths about pool water chemistry.

Blond Hair Turns Green

It is not the chlorine you put in your pool; it is the copper found in some algae. This will attach to the hair shaft, and the metal will give bleached hair a greenish tinge. Condition your hair before swimming, or wash the green away using a colour-stripping shampoo.

Red Eyes from Chlorine

Chlorine is not the culprit here. It is actually that the water pH is out of balance. Keeping the pH at 7.2 to 7.8 will prevent burning and red eyes. Make sure the pool is balanced, blue and clear. If the water seems hazy, don’t swim until it is balanced or use goggles or masks.

Chlorine Smell

If you detect an odour, that usually means there is too little chlorine in the water rather than too much. If so, don’t go in for a dip just yet. The pool must be shocked or super-chlorinated to break down chloramines and free the chlorine to work correctly.

Chlorine and Saltwater 

Saltwater pools are not chlorine-free. The water passes through a metal cell that creates natural forming chlorine. You still need to regularly test the water in a saltwater pool to maintain proper pH.

Clear Pools are Healthy

A safe pool is one that is clean, and the water chemistry is within the prescribed limits. Readings must be taken periodically to be sure to avoid unhealthy organisms.

Chlorine is Unsafe

Since the early part of the twentieth century, chlorine has been used as part of the process of making our drinking water safe to consume. It should be kept at recommended levels for pools along with regular cleaning and the other pool chemicals necessary for balance.

Daily Showers

A person will still need to shower before and after swimming in a pool. The body produces organic compounds through sweat, oil, urine, as well as cosmetics and lotions. To keep these organic compounds out of the pool water, shower before going in.

Baby Diapers

Diapers are not leakproof. Make frequent changes or take your child to the bathroom often to avoid problems.

Safe to Swallow Pool Water

Although most of the bacteria and other germs are eliminated through the use of pool chlorine, it is not entirely safe. There can be unintentional leakages of urine or other substances, so don’t drink the water.

Chemical Odors Means Safety

Actually, the opposite is true. If there is a strong scent coming from the pool, it probably means contaminants. A well-balanced and sanitized pool should have little to no odour. If the smell persists, contact professional pool services to have the water tested and treated.