Chlorine, without its cleansing effect, would all just be a very dangerous and smelly chemical, and no one would want anything to do with it. However, out of the sheer enjoyment people gets from a swimming pool and of the desire to keep things clean, many stock chlorine in their homes.
Now, there’s a craze for salt water pools, and people are beginning to rethink their pool design. Maybe there’s a way to enjoy the wading and swimming in the pool without having to store and use so much chlorine, after all.
A salt water pool is not actually made with water from the sea and is not entirely chlorine-free. It is in fact only 10% as salty as seawater and uses a system called saltwater system or chlorine generator to create its own chlorine via the process called electrolysis. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of salt water pools to understand it better.
List of Pros of Salt Water Pools
1. Less Chlorine
Salt water pools produce low chlorine levels and do not require addition of chlorine for disinfecting or cleaning. Those who have a dislike or allergy to chlorine would naturally prefer salt water pools.
2. Gentler Effect
The water in salt water pools is gentler on the skin and eyes, and even on the nostrils, than chlorine pools. Less chlorine content means less irritants. It may actually be a better alternative for a family with young children.
3. Soft Water
Saline water is silky and smooth to the skin. Salt water pools are just that. The low chlorine level and the relatively salty water make the pool water feel soft, unlike in chlorine pools where the water feels hard and rough.
4. Low Maintenance
Unlike chlorinated swimming pools where green algae thrives when left unattended, salt water pools can be left without maintenance for weeks. Modern salt water systems are capable of maintaining the cleanliness and viability of the water via automatic programming.
5. Low Salinity
Although called salt water pools, these pools do not use seawater and has lower salinity than seawater. Sometimes high levels of salinity can also irritate the eyes and nostrils, but with the low levels of salinity in salt water pools, the water feels just right for swimmers, including young ones.
List of Cons of Salt Water Pools
1. Costly Installation
Salt water pools are low maintenance, no need to buy and hoard buckets of chlorine. However, the catch is that they are costlier to install and setup than chlorinated pools. Its special saltwater system or chlorine generator is more expensive than regular pool system.
2. Damage to Pool Parts
Owners of salt water pools complain that the salinity in the water often damage pool components, particularly lighting systems, liners, heaters and concrete.
3. Damage to Plants
Aside from pool parts and accessories, salty water causes damage to plants that do not do well with it. It dissolves mineral contents in the soil that some plants need to survive. Due to agricultural damage, some cities and town prohibit the use of salt water pools.
4. Power Consumption
The chlorine generator or saltwater system requires so much electricity to run. The high power consumption of salt water pools often offsets its low maintenance costs.
5. More Complex Problems
More often than not, issues with salt water pools require the help of a professional technician, especially since the damage may involve wear and tear of pool components and cannot be solved immediately with DIY troubleshooting.
Salt water pools are obviously the healthier option, but their high installation cost and damage to plants and parts might deter people from eventually converting their regular pools, or installing salt water pools in their homes.