Saltwater swimming pools are becoming more popular. This article looks at the pros and cons to see if a saltwater swimming pool would be suitable for you.

How does a saltwater pool work?

Saltwater pools were first developed in Australia in the 1960’s. They were introduced to the USA in the 90’s and now account for about 80% of all Australian pools and about 75% of new pools built in the States.

They are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Saltwater pools run at about 10% of the salinity of the ocean; in fact they have approximately the same salt content as your own body. That is one of the reasons that the water feels so pleasing and comfortable to swim in.

In order to sanitise the water, saltwater pools use chlorine but not as an added chemical solid; instead they use a chlorine generator that uses electrolysis to produce hydrochlorous acid which is the acid from of chlorine.

Hydrochlorous acid acts as the active sanitiser that keeps your pool water clean and clear and, as with a traditional chlorinated pool, will work very well as long as the water balance is properly maintained.

Saltwater pools can be particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the pH level and the chlorine generator should be checked regularly to ensure that it is free from calcium and other mineral deposits.

The pros of a saltwater pool.

• Saltwater pools feel more natural and are softer and more gentle on the skin. They are also much less likely to irritate the bather’s eyes.

• Saltwater pools are cheaper to maintain.

• A saltwater pool should require less maintenance than a traditionally chlorinated pool.

• Saltwater pools don’t produce chloramines – and it is the chloramines that actually produce that ‘chlorine smell’.

The cons of a saltwater pool.

• A saltwater system is more expensive to install than a traditional system.

• Salt can be corrosive and so the pool equipment can need replacing or repair more frequently.

• A saltwater system is sensitive to pH variations, so the water balance needs to be monitored closely.

• In a saltwater system the pump needs to be run to chlorinate the pool and the chlorine generator uses electricity so some added cost could be incurred.

The choice is yours.

A saltwater pool gives you a more ‘natural’ bathing experience and it’s certainly very attractive to people who are particularly sensitive to chlorine or just really dislike the taste and smell of a traditionally chlorinated pool.

Having a saltwater pool, means that you won’t be buying and using so many chemicals, although the water does still need to be kept in balance.

On the other hand there are higher installation costs and the corrosive nature of the salt can add to long-term maintenance bills.

The Waterco Hydrochlor Saltwater Chlorinator.

A salt-water chlorinated pool requires much less attention than a chlorine pool. A salt water pool provides a more comfortable swimming environment. Salt water feels better and is less irritating to the body than standard chlorinated water.

The Waterco Hydrochlor will automatically maintain the chlorine level of your pool and eliminate problems associated with periods of very high or low chlorine levels. Fewer fluctuations in chlorine levels mean fewer fluctuations in pH levels. This adds up to more stable, balanced water and consistently maintained sanitizer levels in the pool water will prevent the growth of all common algae.

We hope that you have found this article useful.

If you’d like help in contacting a pool professional in your area in order to discuss installing a saltwater pool, then there is a contact button at the top right of this article that will get the process started.

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