To maintain water purity small amounts are added to the pool water. Here we explain the difference between chlorine pools and salt pools – which for many will be an introduction to salt pools, as it has been for most of the Halcyon Leisure team on their first visits to the properties.
Nearly all will be familiar with the ‘swimming pool’ smell from chlorine pools that lingers on skin and clothes, and often leads to red eyes and streaming noses after swimming – Let us say at the outset that the concentration of these chemicals found in relatively small private pools will be much lower than in public swimming baths, and the effects consequently less severe.
Chlorine is normally introduced into the water by tablets that are placed in the baskets behind the skimmers, and gradually dissolve as the water is circulated: This is one important reason that the pool water level must be kept up to around the level shown in this image.
A ‘salt water’ pool is nothing like the sea in terms of saltiness.
In the pool system a small amount of salt is introduced into the water, and by electrolysis of that salt small amounts of the same chlorine are released into the water to maintain water purity.
Most find salt water pools very much more pleasant to swim in without the odour of chlorine – but some prefer the comfort of the smell of the chlorine!
Whichever water purification system the pool you have uses maintenance of the chemical balance is important for your comfort and enjoyment, and you should not attempt to adjust it in any way: The Pool Manager will test and adjust the chemical balance regularly, but please understand that a pool may take a few hours to react to changes, and – especially after storms – the water quality may change, and take a few hours to settle down again.
If you have any concerns about the chemistry of your pool, or indeed anything else related to the pool please contact the Owner or Pool Manager, whose name and contact details should be in your Property Information Folder.