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WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS


Getting Water Treatment Right


USING CHLORINE IN A ‘TRADITIONAL’ WAY IS STILL THE MOST COMMON AND ACCEPTED METHOD OF TREATING WATER. IN THE SEARCH FOR PERFECT POOL WATER, WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING WATER TREATMENT RIGHT, OPINIONS AND SOLUTIONS VARY, AS DOES THE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AND CHOICES ON OFFER POOL OWNERS. SO IS THERE A PERFECT PRODUCT OR SYSTEM? WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK By Jon Wadeson


o date, chlorine has been accepted as one of the most effective treatments of water. It’s powerful disinfectant qualities come from its ability to bond with and destroy the outer surfaces of bacteria and viruses. However, traditional chlorine pool water treatment continues to be questioned in relation to possible health issues. It is still though, the most common, universally accepted method of pool water treatment for safe, bacteria-free water. SPATA still recommend that an oxidising residual disinfectant is in pool water at all times and by far the most commonly that meets UK standards is chlorine.


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At times, its use may lead to some not so great smells, it might not be good for the environment and for some it can cause problems for eyes and skin, but it does a good job in killing bacteria. It’s also simple to use and a commercial pool will require a level of chlorine no matter what other systems are employed, but the picture on water treatment is changing. Water quality is the primary consideration and whilst chlorine as a sole water treatment has its detractors, it may be the irritant by-products, the chloramines that are the real problem and research lends credibility to the need to control chloramines more closely particularly in relation to the possibility of the onset of asthma in children, skin sensitivity and long-term poolside staff exposure. There are, however alternatives open to pool owners whether for a domestic pool or the larger commercial pool where there is often pressure to find solutions which work within a limited budget.


The issue for commercial pools is to do with bigger pool loads where concerns about chlorine are at the highest and where there is sympathy and interest in alternatives but the message can sometimes be a mixed one. Topline Electronics Limited of Hailsham, East Sussex, have hands-on experience


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of all conventional types of swimming pool and spa water treatment, and have also seen the coming and going of a few ‘fringe’ treatments over the last 20 years. Whilst chlorine has been given a rough ride by some, they suggest it is still the only chemical available to the swimming pool market with guaranteed known, repeatable, results. And when their customers are relying on them to get it right first time, ‘repeatable’ is the key word. Whether it’s chlorine gas (not so widely used now), sodium hypochlorite (estimated at 49% of the market), calcium hypochlorite (also estimated 49% of the market) or on-site generated hypochlorite, the hypochlorus acid formed when the hypochlorite is mixed with water is a known and measurable quantity,


when it comes to an oxidising biocide. Put in those terms it sounds like a chemical soup, but in the context of the micro-organisms found within in a swimming pool (or more correctly, not found within a well maintained pool) chlorine is a reliable method of reducing the risks involved in operating a pool and provides water that is safe to swim in. In Topline’s extensive experience of the commercial market, chlorine is ever-present because it is reliable and when used in low controlled doses, in a well-run facility, would be doing far more good than harm. It is also important to note that chemical treatment, chlorine or non-chlorine, does not stand alone. Pool chemical disinfection is very much part of a synergistic system that includes circulation, flocculation, filtration and pH control and much more. If one or more elements are out of sync then the others would have more work to do to compensate and the system will not function optimally. In summary, Topline would today typically suggest chlorine based dosing systems for pool and spa applications, but do continually seek out new and innovative water treatment solutions. Their advice for anyone looking at a non-chlorine water treatment solution is to assess the product carefully. Keep an open mind but take reliable advice.


So with all the solutions being marketed these days to the concerned pool owner and with opinions varying as to which method or system is best, the message is it can be difficult to find the ideal solution to water treatment. When choosing a solution, as Topline suggest: “Keep an open mind but take reliable advice”.


MULTIPLE TREATMENT SOLUTIONS FROM WATERCO


The Electrochlor salt water pool chlorinator from Waterco will automatically maintain


The Electrochlor salt water pool chlorinator from Waterco


SPN February 2013 81


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