Swimming pool sanitation

refers to methods for ensuring healthy conditions in swimming
pools,lap pools, hot tubs, plunge pools, and similar recreational water venues. Proper sanitation is needed to maintain the visual clarity of water and to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Sanitation methods

include filtration to remove pollutants, disinfectionto kill infectious
microorganisms, swimmer hygiene to minimize the introduction of contaminants into pool water,
and regular testing of pool water, including chlorine and pH levels.

Reason : Contaminants and Disease

Swimming pool contaminants are introduced from environmental sources and swimmers. Affecting primarily outdoor swimming pools, environmental contaminants include windblown dirt and debris, incoming water from unsanitary sources, rain containing microscopic algae spores and droppings
from birds possibly harboring disease-causing viruses.Indoor pools are less susceptible to environmental contaminants.

Contaminants introduced by swimmers can dramatically influence the operation of indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Sources include micro-organisms from infected swimmers and body oils including sweat,cosmetics,suntan lotion, urine, saliva and fecal matter. In addition, the interaction between disinfectants and pool water contaminants can produce a mixture of chloramines and otherdisinfection
by-products.

Contamination can be minimized by good swimmer hygiene practices such as showering before swimming

Standard water quality in swimming pools and spas

Maintaining an effective concentration of disinfectant is critically important in assuring the safety
and health of swimming pool and spa users.[9] Ideal chemical parameters include disinfectant levels according to regulated pesticide label directions,pHbetween 7.2-7.8, Chlorine between 1.0-3.0 ppm,
total alkalinity of 80-120 ppm and calcium hardness between 200 – 400 ppm

When any of these pool chemicals are used, it is very important to keep the pH of the pool in the
range 7.2 to 7.8-according to the Langelier Saturation Index, or 7.8 to 8.2- according to the Hamilton
Index; higher pH drastically reduces the sanitizing power of the chlorine due to reduced oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), while lower pH causes bather discomfort, especially to the eyes. However, according to the Hamilton Index, a higher pH can reduce unnecessary chlorine consumption while still remaining effective at preventing algae and bacteria growth.

To help ensure the health of swimmers and protect pool equipment, it is essential to perform routine monitoring of water quality factors (or "parameters") on a regular basis. This process becomes
the essence of an optimum water quality management program.