How does saltwater pool treatment work?

One of the latest trends in swimming pools is to replace water treatment with chlorine and chemicals with alternative, more environmentally friendly methods. An example of these trends is the maintenance of pool water with salt, a natural disinfection system that protects the environment, does not generate waste and protects people’s health.

A swimming pool with salt water is not the same as bathing in the sea, the concentration of salt is much lower (approximately 9 times less), which allows us to enjoy for many hours without the unpleasant effect of excess salt that causes dryness and irritation in certain people.

Salt water pools

Saltwater pools are spreading beyond the elite sportsmen and women and there are already many luxury resorts that prefer to provide their guests with a different experience. Not only ethically and as a company image is this a good thing, but it also reduces the use of chemicals and makes lawn and garden maintenance less expensive.

Saltwater pool water does not irritate plants or damage lawns, which is what the harsh chemicals traditionally used to remove pathogens and algae from water do. The percentage of salt is so low that you can swim without fear of irritating your eyes since the amount of salt in the water is similar to that in tears.

In addition the cost of maintenance of salt water pools is very low, another point in favor of businesses that have this type of facility or if we have a pool of this type in our home.

Saltwater pool maintenance

To maintain a saltwater pool we have to install a chlorination system that is responsible for generating chlorine gas in the filtration system through electrolysis. The installation of this equipment is very simple and does not require a large reform as it requires the installation of a treatment plant or other water purification systems.

The maintenance of the saltwater pool in winter is the same as during the summer since the equipment itself warns us if it detects that more salt is needed and the natural process of the contact of the UV rays with the water returns the salt to its natural state.

It is possible to put our saltwater pool into hibernation during the cold season. To do this, we will only have to check that the water temperature is less than 15 degrees and we will have to turn off the salt chlorinator because no chlorine will be produced in these conditions. At this point we will have to add a specific product to hibernate the pool and, if possible, place a canvas to protect the surface.

Advantages and disadvantages of having a saltwater pool

The main advantage of having a saltwater pool is that we can forget about the harmful effects of chlorine on our health. Sportsmen and women who spend a lot of time in the pool often turn the pool into salt water to avoid respiratory problems and skin allergies that can affect their performance.

The natural chlorine produced by salt through electrolysis is as powerful as chemical chlorine when it comes to disinfecting and purifying water, but with the particularity that it is a natural element, it does not have negative effects on people or the environment. Thanks to the sun’s UV rays that affect the salty water of the pool, this compound turns back into salt and prevents us from having to add more product to the water constantly because it renews itself.

As a disadvantage, there is nothing important to point out since the maintenance of the salt water pool is very simple. As the salt does not evaporate, the only thing that needs to be checked regularly is the pH of the water and, if there is torrential rain or the water is renewed, salt will have to be added again to compensate.