AQUATICS
Late Winter 2010 Swim Lesson Schedule
RED CROSS LATE Winter 2010 Registration Form
Why Salt-Water?
The primary factor in their popularity is their limited use of chlorine. Unlike traditional pools, which require chlorine to be poured into the water manually or released from a tablet, a saltwater pool has a generator that uses electrolysis to release chlorine gas from salt in the water. Salt is added to the pool water to achieve a saturation of approximately 3,200 parts per million, roughly the amount of salt found in a teardrop. In contrast, ocean water has a salt content of 35,000 ppm.
"Since the solution is much like saline, you'll hardly know there is salt in the pool. It's nontoxic and eco-friendly," says Jon Parker, owner of Seacoast Sports Clubs. "Our members will love the saltwater pool because it is less abrasive on the skin, eyes and swimwear."
Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million ("ppm"). Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. Most chlorine generators require a salt content of 2500 - 6000 ppm in the pool. A unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively is optimal.
Swimming in a mild saline solution is much like taking a shower in soft water. Generally, when people swim in a non-chlorine generator pool (a pool with no salt water in it) they feel like their skin dries quicker upon exiting the pool. They may feel and/or see white residue or chlorine flaking on the skin. In a salt-water pool (one with a chlorine generator) the water feels smooth, your skin feels smooth and many people feel more refreshed.
How's It Work?Through the process of electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell produces chlorine that is instantaneously transformed into Hypochlorous acid. When any type of chlorine is added to water it ALL makes the SAME thing: Hypochlorous acid. It does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine--it all makes Hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer; this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water. The important distinction is that saltwater pools lack chloramines, referred to as Combined Chlorine. Chloramines are the irritants that give traditional pools the stigma of burning eyes and caustic smell.
Bottom Line
Chlorine generators can help fight against waterline scum build-up. They create a better, healthier swimming experience for most people. It isn't necessary to handle or buy chlorine, and, if the unit is functioning correctly, chlorine residual will always be present in the pool, eliminating algae. This makes it nearly impossible to get burning red eyes from chloramines, which is usually the culprit.
