Saltwater pools are not a new idea. The technology started in Australia in the 1960’s. In the last few years, North Americans have been discovering the benefits of owning a saltwater pool. The reasons why saltwater pools are becoming more popular are as follows:
Eye and Skin Comfort
If you experience sore eyes, hair that feels like straw, feel sick after accidentally swallowing pool water or your bathing suit fades out, it’s likely that you have too much chlorine and other chemicals in the pool.
On the other hand, a saltwater pool has a salt level lower than a human tear, making swimming in it easier on the eyes. You will have no more red burning eyes after swimming and there is none of the chlorine smells typical of traditional swimming pools. You will have fewer eye and skin disorders to contend with after swimming in a saltwater pool.
Safer, Cheaper Maintenance
Pools that use chlorine may have storage and chemical handling problems. Chlorine can also corrode metal surfaces in and around the pump. Also chlorine gas is released every time the containers are opened.
Saltwater pools are much less expensive to maintain as pool salt is far cheaper than traditional chlorine. They also require a lot less maintenance.
Environmentally Friendly
Since most chlorine is manufactured oversees and imported, the environmental impact from its production and transportation is significant.
Saltwater pools have a piece of equipment called a salt-chlorine generator which uses salt to make chlorine and so eliminates these environmental issues. The generator makes the same type of bacteria-killing chlorine found in a traditional pool, but in a completely different way. The salt generator is adding chlorine to the water at a constant rate and so is capable of displacing the bad smell and burning irritation we normally associate with chlorine.
On-demand chlorine generation is one of the keys to swimmer comfort because there will never be too much chlorine in the pool. Saltwater is a natural antiseptic that inhibits the formation of bacteria and algae.
While the advantages of a salt water pool are very appealing, there are some drawbacks. The cost and installation of a salt chlorine generator is an investment. The generator cells must be maintained on a regular basis and, most importantly, salt levels must be carefully monitored because salt is, after all, corrosive. If salt levels climb too high, metal equipment could be damaged.
Saltwater pools are gaining popularity around the world, especially in high-end properties where the residents and their guests crave luxury.