What is pH?

What is the importance of water pH for the pool?

pH or Hydrogen Potential is a chemical property of water. It is an essential parameter that influences the water balance. For pool treatment, pH is inseparable and synonymous with healthy and clear water. So, what is the pH of pool water, and what factors can modify it?

Water Quality and pH

pH indicates the acidity level of water and is measured on a scale between 0 and 14. Water with a pH of 7 is considered "neutral." Below 7, the water is acidic and corrosive to the liner, equipment, and swimmers. Above 7, it is basic or alkaline, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness, excessive product consumption, and irritations for bathers.

What is the optimum pH for pool water treatment?

Typically, the pH of pool water is between 7.2 and 7.4. For good water quality, during maintenance, this is the first factor to check, measure, adjust, and maintain. The pH reference levels may vary depending on the chosen treatment.

Regardless of the treatment, it is useless and counterproductive to disinfect the pool if the pH is not controlled and restored to its optimal level.

pH, What Influence on the Pool?

During the weekly or biweekly maintenance of the pool, measuring pH is the foundation, the first step in achieving stability and water disinfection. If the pH is too high or too low, other data are inaccurate, treatments will be under or overconsumed, and, in any case, ineffective. The result will be disappointing.

pH, What Influence on the Pool?

The pH of the pool is subject to frequent fluctuations, often of random nature. Many factors can disturb the stability of pH and the proper balance of pool water. Some are well-known and identified, while others remain a "mystery"!

• Temperature variations, both related to ambient air and heating methods.
• Pool usage, the more crowded, the more pH is likely to vary.
• Weather conditions, strong winds bringing additional pollutants, storms, acidic or sand-laden rains, etc.
• Water movement, splashes in general, especially counter-current swimming, fountains, jets, diving boards. Water agitation creates carbon dioxide, causing a pH increase.
• Pollution from surrounding vegetation, insects, as well as bather-related pollution such as sunscreen, soap, laundry residue from swimsuits, skin, hair, sweat, dust from feet, etc.
• Treatment products like chlorine or salt.

pH is a crucial but unstable indicator. The goal, when owning a pool, is to maintain it within its ideal performance range so that the water is healthy and requires minimal water treatment products. For this, regular and frequent manual control is essential, or alternatively, a pH regulator can free the pool owner from this repetitive task.

Explore factors influencing the pH of pool water and consequences of improperly adjusted pH for the pool. Understand how to control pool pH and how to correct pool pH.