Debunking Swimming Pool Management Myths: A Scientific Approach

Our continuous involvement with water quality control and swimming pool management over the years has often brought us face to face with some entrenched beliefs on the part of swimming pool managers. So the time has come to look at them again with the appropriate scientific treatment and tell you whether it is true or not.

1. An experienced administrator may know if the pool water is it good or bad without analysis and measurements – We would say this is only half true. Indeed an experienced manager:

• could tell from the sound of the pump or strange noises in the system that something is wrong with the operation of the equipment
• could determine with a visual inspection if the water is cloudy, if there are visible suspended matter (leaves, insects, algae) or cracks or spots of rust or substances of this nature and stains on the walls of the pool
• he could perceive by his sense of smell, the strong odor of chlorine usually associated with bound chlorine

That is, the person in charge, depending on the experience he has, and using his senses (except for the taste, of course, testing is prohibited) could understand if something is wrong, but this is far from a documented picture.

It is always necessary to collaborate with an experienced scientific partner and carry out the relevant analyses, both for the documented diagnosis of the existence or not of problems, and for finding the appropriate solution for each case.

Swimming Pool Management (SPA)

2. A spa is like a small swimming pool – This myth is not true. With the thought that the spa and the pool contain water, yes, we would say they are similar. But in reality, a spa is not a small pool. There are various issues that particularly concern the management of swimming pools with hot water (spa, hot tub, jacuzzi) that differentiate them from swimming pools and therefore require a different approach.

• we are dealing with higher temperatures. The maximum temperature in the spas is 40 o C. Any higher temperature is considered a possible health risk, especially for women who may be pregnant.
• in spas, there is usually a water jet system which is not present in a swimming pool. It is known that there are spas and pools that have a water jet system and allow swimming as opposed to water jetting, but the way they affect the muscles and back of swimmers is different. The water jet system can also increase the pH of the spa because it produces hydroxides (OH-) and these raise the pH. Therefore, special care is required for this increase in pH which does not occur in a normal pool environment.
•  we have a higher bather load ratio in smaller volume facilities than in a pool. Due to the high loads of bathers in smaller water environments, issues such as hygiene problems and an increase in
  calcium hardness. Calcium is a mineral that in hot water will create salts and cloud it quickly. So, the warmer the water, the more calcium can form scale deposits on spa walls and equipment, whereas with the same calcium concentration in pool water at lower temperatures, we don't see anything like that.
• finally, a big difference between pools and spas is the ability to replace old water with fresh water. This is relatively easy to do in spas due to the smaller volume, but not so easily done with large pool volumes, for obvious reasons.

So you can understand that even though a spa contains water like a swimming pool, it is still a unique situation that needs to be treated differently.

Sampling

3. You can take a water sample for analysis from anywhere in the pool – This is simply wrong. Sampling is a process that, as simple as it may seem, can decisively influence the results of the analyzes that will follow. A bad sampling can destroy the value of even the most reliable analysis and lead those responsible to misleading conclusions. In terms of the correct depth, we know that sunlight can penetrate 10 to 15 centimeters into water, affecting its chemical characteristics and giving false readings.

For this it is recommended to go down to around 45 cm or to take a sample from the depth where your elbow has already entered the water. The point of the pool where we will take the sample is also important. We must ensure that sampling is done at the weakest point of the pool, i.e. the point with the lowest level of disinfection, in order to capture the worst case scenario. If this point is not a problem, then we can make sure that the whole tank is disinfected satisfactorily. The point with the largest amount of disinfectants is the point where the water returns to the pool and should be avoided.

Do not take the samples for testing from the facility monitoring system sampling point. This sampling point is not to perform analyses, but to calibrate the sensors of the monitoring equipment against a water sample taken from the same location in the system as the sensors.

So, you can't just take the sample from anywhere in the pool. Ideally – which never happens, because almost no one has the time and financial burden to do it – you should take a sample from the shallow end of the pool, a sample from the deep end, and average the two results. Usually sampling should be done at the point where the pool starts to deepen, checking that there is no water return line nearby and collecting the sample from the depth mentioned above.

4. It doesn't matter how the test strips are used, as long as they are wet – Forget it, it's not true. The problem here, is that the instructions given by the manufacturers are even slightly different. Some recommend dipping the tape from top to bottom. Others dip in a circular motion. Others say, when you remove the test strip, hold it vertically.
Some recommend the horizontal position. Some say don't let the water drip from top to bottom while others say it doesn't matter. The truth is that every film is different and you can't use them all in the same way. You should follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you get the best possible results from each test strip.

These are the most common of the myths floating around about swimming pool water testing. For our part, with our many years of experience, we are at your disposal to serve you and guide you in the effective protection and management of both swimming pools and your space in order to ensure a healthy environment for your customers.

For any additional information you can find us at +30 210 4175865 and sales@tsakalidislabs.gr