We all know that the PH scale ranges from 0 to 14, zero being the lowest and 14 being the highest level. The highest level of PH (14) in the water is the indication of high alkalinity and on the other hand, if that level is 0, it would be an indication of high acidity. Hence, if you want to keep a perfect balance between alkalinity & acidity, keeping the PH level of the water at around 7 (7.2 to 7.6) would be the best practice.

Below we have put a light on the disadvantages and risks involved in not maintaining a balanced PH level in the pool water:

Disadvantages of Low PH level

The skin of the swimmer swimming in the water with a low PH level (<7) can get red, irritated, and itchy. It is just like getting shampoo or soap into your eyes. If the pool water is too acidic, it may have even worse effects on the swimmer’s health, leading to a medical emergency.

In addition, this level of PH may also cause the metallic ladder of the pool to erode, thus leading to a more dangerous situation for the swimmer.

Disadvantages of High PH level

A higher PH level (greater than 7.6) usually makes the water dirty or cloudy, which can eventually lead to risks for the swimmer’s health. Further, it may also cause some issues in the plumbing equipments of the pool.

Maintaining the PH level in the pool

When it comes to the maintenance of the pool PH, it is necessary to keep checking its level daily on a regular basis with the use of test strips in order to make sure that it is fine, healthy, and acceptable. It should be kept in mind that not only the things like leaves & other debris but also the people swimming in the pool can cause a disturbance in its PH balance. Maintaining the right level of PH in the pool water is a continuous process.

Final Words

As mentioned above in this article, both low as well as high levels of pool PH are harmful to swimmers. So it is recommended to keep it in check. An unbalanced PH not only causes health hazards for the swimmer but also makes the swimming uncomfortable. On the other hand, a balanced PH (or the PH maintained within the recommended limits) would ensure the safety and comfort of the swimmer.

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While swimming in a swimming pool, you might accidentally swallow some pool water when trying to breathe in by opening your mouth. Though immediately spitting the swallowed water is possible, but you will still end up consuming a little bit of it. Now the question is whether this swallowed water can make you sick. The correct answer is ‘YES’.

The diseases that you can get due to swallowing the pool water are mentioned below:

• Chlorine Poisoning

As far as Chlorine is concerned, it is a chemical that is generally used to stop bacterial growth and perform the task of sanitation. It possesses a pungent smell and there are many household products in which this chemical is used. Chlorine poisoning is the poisoning caused by chlorine when it is swallowed. Chlorine reacts with the water present outside and inside of your body and ends up producing Hypochlorous acid & hydrochloric acid.

Usually, the swimmer doesn’t face any sickness in short term but in long term, there are chances for him to get affected by mild chlorine poisoning if he keeps on swallowing chlorine on a regular basis. The symptoms of this disease include digestive issues, difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, fluid in the lungs, high level of acid in the blood, etc.

Though there is very little risk of chlorine poisoning if you choose to swim in a well-maintained pool. The presence of this chemical in the pool water can be easily evaluated with the use of the test strips which also comes in handy when it comes to testing the acidity levels and PH levels in the water. Most of the swimming pools generally have a chlorine level of 4 ppm.

• Recreational Water Illness (RWI)

The illnesses that are spread by getting in contact with the contaminated water are referred to as RWIs. Pool water is also generally contaminated water as it contains various bacterias like E.Coli, Shigella, Giardia, etc. The water gets contaminated with such bacterias due to the swimmers’ carelessness. That’s because we don’t bother taking a shower beforehand when we go to the pool, causing the transmission of such bacterias to the pool water.

The symptoms of a Recreational Water Illness include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, stomach cramps, etc.

Final Words

There is no doubt that swimming brings a lot of fun when the day is too hot but the water of the pool may also bring in many health issues if swallowed, as explained above. So it is recommended to seek medical help in such cases.

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Pool parties are fun events, but you’ll definitely see a difference in the pool afterward. Sunscreen provides essential protection from the sun and anyone wearing it will leave some of it in the pool when they take a dip. The bottom line is that sunscreen has a negative effect on your pool, diminishing water quality.

Sunscreen affects the water chemistry of your pool and it’s a complex interaction. As the sunscreen dissolves it reacts with pool chemicals, especially chlorine, that disinfects and keeps bacteria at bay. Sunscreen disrupts that process and the water will become cloudy. Your guests may also experience eye and skin irritation.

There’s no way to prevent the situation and you certainly don’t want to discourage swimmers from wearing the protective lotion. There are special devices called floats that can be placed in the pool that is designed to attract lotion and oil in the water. The device floats around the pool and they’re commonly known as scumballs. However, there are some measures that can be taken to minimize the chemical reaction.

Request that everyone shower or rinse themselves down with the garden hose before entering the pool. It’s one of the reasons that public pools have showers and require people to wash down before swimming. It’s also important that the filter be kept clean and utilized regularly. Modern technology has created filters that contain enzymes designed to break down lotions and oils that enter the pool.

It’s better to prepare the pool ahead of time if you’re having a party and expecting a large number of swimmers. Make sure the filtration system is working optimally and at full capacity. If you’re planning a party, it’s best to engage the services of a professional who can thoroughly inspect the pool systems, add the correct chemicals, and even scrub down the pool to mitigate problems before they arise.

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For those that haven’t yet heard, there’s a nationwide chlorine shortage and it’s going to impact the way pools are opened and maintained. The shortage is affecting private and public pools in every state. The chlorine crisis came about as the result of a fire in a Louisiana plant responsible for making chlorine for swimming pools.

The loss of that manufacturing left people in the U.S. with only two plants that produce the chemical. Another factor impacting chlorine was the pandemic. Thousands of people installed pools during the height of the pandemic and it increased demand for chlorine at the same time that production was reduced due to the fire.

The Louisiana plant doesn’t expect to resume operations until Spring 2022. Chlorine is in short supply and it’s going to be far more expensive than in the past. Professional pool maintenance companies and pool supply houses are employing multiple strategies in an effort to obtain the chlorine they need.

In many instances, individuals and pool maintenance professionals will need to use powdered chlorine rather than tablets. At some point, they may also need to transition from powdered chlorine to liquid chlorine. They may also have to resort to non-chlorinated products to shock pools.

While pool professionals will have the knowledge and experience to make the necessary conversions, if you’re among the many pool owners that manage their own pool, you may not be able to make those changes in a way that’s safe for swimmers.

Another alternative is converting an existing chlorine pool into a saltwater pool. While a saltwater pool still uses chlorine, it requires far less of the chemical than a traditional chlorine pool. The same is true of pools that employ ozone, UV and ionization systems.

Keep your pool cleaner by showering before swimming and don’t let pets in the pool. Don’t neglect regular maintenance. For the best advice on how to keep your pool clean during the chlorine crisis, definitely consult with a pool professional.

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Many individuals share their pool time with their canine companions. A great many dog breeds enjoy the water and there are benefits and disadvantages when allowing dogs in the pool environment.

Exercise

Swimming is a low impact aerobic exercise that can be as beneficial for dogs as it is for their human companions. Younger and high energy dogs can burn a lot of energy through swimming. The buoyancy of water supports movement for older dogs and those with joint conditions. When attended by a human, the pool can be therapeutic for canines recovering from injuries and surgery.

Pool Chemicals

Chlorine and other pool chemicals can result in watery eyes or a burning nose in dogs. It can dry out their coat and adversely affect their skin. Dogs should be rinsed off with warm water after getting out of the pool. Swimming also increases the potential of dogs developing an ear infection.

Pool owners should also know that dogs can bring more debris into the pool than humans, especially long-haired breeds. Loose hair will come off in the pool and that will have an impact on filtration systems.

Damage to Liners

Dogs have sharp nails that can damage pool liners and pool toys. Even trimmed, well-groomed nails can be injurious to swimmers due to the way that dogs paddle to stay afloat.

Dog Safety

Unlike people, a dog won’t automatically know how to exit the pool and it requires training to teach them where the exit is located. A pool that’s not equipped with steps or a shelf-type entry will be a death trap for dogs. They won’t be able to climb a ladder and will simply swim until they’re exhausted.

Any dog that enters the water should be wearing a canine life jacket. The same safety measures should be taken for dogs as for small children. Never leave dogs unattended in or near a pool and ensure they can’t gain access to the pool through safety fencing. Don’t use a floating pool cover. Children, dogs, and other pets don’t understand that it’s not a solid surface and can easily become trapped under a floating cover.

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There are a number of factors that can disrupt and destroy the chemistry of a pool. A swimming pool is its own self-contained ecosystem that requires monitoring and the correct application of chemicals to keep it clean, healthy, and sanitary.  Anything that enters the pool has the potential to alter and destroy pool chemistry – and it can be expensive to correct.

People

When people use a pool, they bring a variety of unseen elements with them that includes sunscreen, makeup, dead skin cells, bacteria, fungi, and viral contaminants. Those all increase with the frequency with which the pool is used and the number of individuals that are swimming.

Sunlight

Rays from the sun reduce the amount of chlorine in a pool, allowing bacteria and algae to grow. Sunlight can easily reduce the amount of chlorine by up to 90 percent in just two hours when the pool water is directly exposed on a highly sunny day. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks down chlorine, allowing it to gas off into the air.

Rain

The rainwater that falls in your pool contains acidic properties that will affect pH balances, alkaline levels, calcium and other chemicals. Heavy rain can significantly dilute the chemical balance of a pool. It’s further compounded if runoff from a house, porch or deck gets into the pool. The pool chemistry will also need to be tested and adjusted if individuals need to add water to the pool.

Vegetative Material

When removed right away, leaves won’t have a substantial effect on the pool water. However, if they’re left very long they’ll begin to use chlorine, stain the pool, and can result in an algae bloom. Even if there aren’t any plantings close to the pool, leaves and pollen can easily be displaced by the wind where they will be deposited into the pool. The same is true of mulch.

Too Many Chemicals

Maintaining the correct ratio of chemicals can be a balancing act. Adding too much, not enough or the wrong chemical can lead to pool chemistry that only a professional can remediate. Any of those situations can also result in injuries, and even emergency situations, if swimmers breathe them in or swallow even small amounts of pool water.

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The pH level of a pool is more important than most people realize. It ensures that the pool is clean, sanitary, and safe for use. Maintaining the proper pH levels aids in keeping pumps and other components working properly and from becoming damaged or corroded.

Even with careful monitoring, there are some things that will adversely affect pool pH levels and owners have no control over them. It’s just one of the reasons why it’s important to have a pool professional perform regular checks and maintenance.

Wind

While wind won’t directly affect pH levels, it can indirectly deposit chemicals and other types of contamination from a neighbor or other nearby sources through drift. Owners should be especially vigilant in areas where spraying or aerial dusting is conducted for pests such as mosquitos, gypsy moths or Japanese beetles.

Rain

A summer rain can drop a significant amount of water into a pool. It dilutes chemicals and disrupts pH levels. After it rains, it’s not uncommon to see an algae outbreak or the water become cloudy. The same things can occur by replenishing pool water levels with water from sources such as well water.

UV Rays

The sun’s rays can contribute to heating a swimming pool, but quickly rising temperatures in pool water due to UV rays can reduce chlorine by up to 90 percent. Bacteria breeds more quickly in warmer water and the pool will deplete its chlorine content more rapidly. There are chemicals that can be used to reduce the effects of UV rays, but they should only be applied by a professional.

Pollen

In addition to aggravating allergies, pollen in the pool creates an increased demand for chlorine that will result in a pH imbalance.

Sun Screen

The use of sunscreen is necessary, but it also dissolves when worn in the pool and reacts with the pool’s chlorine and other chemicals. The more sunscreen that’s in the pool, the more unbalanced pH levels become and owners may notice their pool water becoming cloudy or swimmers may complain of eye irritation. The same is true of haircare products cosmetics.

Usage

The more swimmers there are that use a pool and the frequency with which they do so, will contribute to a pH imbalance.

Staying Safe

The health of a pool is dependent upon many factors, including pH levels. A balance ensures safety and sanitation for swimmers and less cost for owners. A pool professional has the experience and knowledge to keep pools healthy, sparkling clean, and maintain a proper pH balance.

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