How Can Chlorine Clean Your Pool and Still Be Safe?

Every summer, millions of Americans are diving into crystal clear water without giving any thought to the chemicals used to make it that way. Chlorine is an element that has been used to clean pools for decades, preventing the growth of algae and harmful bacteria without causing harm to swimmers. That’s pretty amazing when you think about how strong it must be to act as such an effective sanitizer.

When Was Chlorine First Introduced Into Pool Water?

While the history of recreational swimming pools can be traced back to the Ancient Roman Empire, disinfection methods were not explored until the early 1900’s. It was then that scientists began experimenting with different chlorine levels in swimming water to help keep it clear without harming the swimmers. They found that even small amounts of chlorine added to pool water was able to kill bacteria within minutes, and allow the water to remain that way for days on end. And since a high concentration was not needed for this process, the pool remained safe for people to play in.

By the 1920’s, states began issuing laws that made sterilizing pool water mandatory, despite there not yet being any types of pumps or other distribution methods readily available. This problem was quickly addressed by adapting marine pumps and chemical filters, and in 1925 the first pool supply company was founded. The owner, chemical engineer John Mudge, then went on to found the first pool maintenance company in California.

Why is Chlorinated Swimming Water Safe?

At high concentrations, chlorine is not safe to humans. In fact, you should not enter the water if the levels are above 3 ppm. That is why proper application and testing is critical to maintain your pool water. During shock treatments, no one should be permitted to enter the water until it has been tested using specialized pool strips. This reacts with the chlorine in pool water to tell you just how high the concentration is, so that you know whether it is safe for swimming or not.

Chlorine is used to sterilize our drinking water as well, as it is known to be able to kill almost all bacteria, viruses and even protozoa. Once added, it will break down fairly quickly, leaving behind no contaminants in the water other than the harmless chlorine ion.

When Should Chlorine Be Added to Pool Water?

Large amounts of chlorine are typically added to pools at the start of their season in order to “shock†the water and destroy all of the bacteria that built up during the off season. Once the water has been effectively treated, chlorine can be introduced into the water in small amounts continually so that the water remains bacteria free. Just remember to test the water periodically to ensure that the levels are not too high.

If you notice that your pool water is getting murky and needs an extra shock, it is recommended that you add this at night. Sunlight breaks down chlorine quickly, so when added in the dark, it will be more effective at rapidly killing the bacteria that has contaminated your pool water. If you ever have any doubts or concerns about how to safely treat your pool water, you should ask experts in chemicals and supplies. Chlorine is a safe and effective way of keeping your pool water clean, but it still needs to be handled properly.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR POOL OR IN NEED OF SERVICE GIVE US A CALL AT 623-939-1346. YOU CAN ALSO COME VISIT US AT OUR RETAIL STORE AND ONE OF OUR POOL CARE PROFESSIONALS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP!

ENJOY YOUR POOL, AND LET US HELP YOU ALWAYS KEEP IT CLEAR AND SWIM READY!