Chemical Free Pools

As much as we all love the thought of a pool with zero chemicals, chemical free pools do not exist. At least ones that are safe enough to swim in.

While some companies do market “chemical free pools”, these products have been banned in some countries as unsafe. The number one priority for any pool owners should be safety. And the bottom line is that any pool that claims to be chemical free is unsafe.

But there is good news. UV pool systems allow for drastically reduced chemical levels. When using UV, just 0.5 ppm free chlorine is adequate, according to the World Health Organization. How low is 0.5 ppm? That’s about the level in tap water.

Beware of Chemical Free Pools

Beware of any “chemical free” pool systems which claims that no residual sanitizer is required. There are no chemical free commercial pools in the United States. Why not? Because it’s impossible to maintain any level of safety without at least a low residual of chlorine or some other sanitizer such as hydrogen peroxide. Companies that advertise chemical free pools are typically selling pool ozonators pool ionizers, which are also called pool ionization systems. Pool ionizers add copper and sometimes other heavy metals to pool water, which can cause a host of problems. Ozonators can work well, but not the types commonly found in residential pools. Some commercial pools utilize ozonators to supplement chlorine. The typical cost is $50,000. or more. These systems require an ozone destructions chamber because ozone is toxic to humans. In residential pools, the amount of ozone produced is simply not enough ozone to oxidize or sanitize effectively. In an effort to eliminate chemicals, some pool owners have converted to salt water pools. However, salt water pools are not chlorine free or chemical free. The salt is converted to chlorine, which makes a salt water pool no different from a typical chlorinated pool.

Australian Government Cracks Down on Chemical Free Pools

The Austrailian Government in 2004 took action against a number of companies that were claiming to sell chemical free pool sytems. Pool ionizers are often sold as an alternative to chlorine and/or chemicals. These products claimed to work by releasing silver ion, copper ions, or both into pool water. In many cases, these products were promoted as superior to chlorine. The Australian government noted that these metal ion based products had not been accessed according to scientific standards for safety or efficacy. The government had scientific data which called the efficacy of these products into question. The government had a serous concern about these products because waterborne pathogens transmitted to swimmers through pool water can be very dangerous or worse, deadly. The bottom line is that attempting to operate a chemical free pool would risk the health and safety of anyone entering the water.

Why Chlorine Free Pools are a Health Risk

It’s easy to see algae in a pool. Ironically, it’s what you can’t see that is most dangerous. You can’t see bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. As a pool owner, it’s easy to get a false sense of security. Swimming pools and spas can transmit microorganisms that cause disease unless the water is protected by a disinfection system that can effectively kill the microorganisms. Pool sanitizers need to act quickly. Microorganisms can quickly pass from one person to another through the eyes, nose and mouth. Some of these microorganisms can cause diareahea, haemorrhagic colitis, and Hepatitis. There is a very effective alternative to chemical free pools – low chlorine pools.

Low Chlorine Pools with UV System is Best Available Technology

You’re probably not surprised that “chemical free pools” are too good to be true. The good news is that you don’t need a chlorine free pool to realize the benefits you’re seeking. A low chlorine pool can accomplish the same thing, safely. When a low 0.5 ppm concentration of chlorine is combined with ultraviolet pool disinfection, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens can be killed in less than a second. And scientific studies have shown that a low 0.5 ppm residual of free chlorine (about the level in drinking water) is safe for swimmers. You may be surprised that free chlorine is undetectable in pool water.

Low Chlorine Pools Have all the Benefits of Chlorine Free Pools Without Risks

Burning eyes, skin irritations, allergies, and asthma are are result of combined chlorine, also called chloramines. Pool chloramines are a by-product of pool chemicals that can be eliminated by with UV pool systems, the gold standard on commercial pools. Ultraviolet disinfection systems can lower chemical demand and destroy pool chloramines very effectively. UV systems have now been installed in nearly every major aquatic center pool in the US.

The World Health Organization on Ultraviolet Pool Systems

The World Health Organization speaks highly of UV and it’s ability to kill microorganisms at free chlorine conentrations of 0.5 ppm and lower. According to the World Health Organization, lower free chlorine concentrations (.5 ppm or less) will be adequate when chlorine is used in combination with UV disinfection. The WHO goes on to explain that UV purifies circulating water…it inactivates microorganisms and breaks down some pollutants (e.g. chloramines) by photo-oxidation, decreasing the oxidant demand of the purified water. The bottom line is you can have all the benefits of a chlorine free pool without the health risks. To learn more about ultraviolet pool systems, visit the UV Pool section, or watch the informational video.