Waterco Turbotemp 200HD Installation And Operation Manual page 55

WHAT A DISINFECTANT DOES
Two pool guests you do not want are algae and bacteria. To get rid of them and make pool
water sanitary for swimming - as well as to improve the water's taste, odor and clarity - some
sort of disinfectant must be used.
Chlorine and bromine are universally approved by health authorities and are accepted
disinfecting agents for bacteria control.
WHAT IS A DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL?
When you add chlorine or bromine to the pool water, a portion of the disinfectant will be
consumed in the process of destroying bacteria, algae and other oxidizable materials. The
disinfectant remaining is called chlorine residual or bromine residual. You can determine the
disinfectant residual of your pool water with a reliable test kit, available from your local pool
supply store.
You must maintain a disinfectant residual level adequate enough to assure a continuous kill of
bacteria or virus introduced into pool water by swimmers, through the air, from dust, rain or
other sources.
It is wise to test pool water regularly. Never allow chlorine residual to drop below 0.6 ppm (parts
per million). The minimum level for effective chlorine or bromine residual is 1.4 ppm.
pH - The term pH refers to the acid/alkaline balance of water expressed on a numerical scale
from 0 to 14. A test kit for measuring pH balance of your pool water is available from your local
pool supply store; see Table 10.
Muriatic Acid has a pH of about 0. Pure water is 7 (neutral). Weak Lye solution have a pH of 13-14.
RULE: 7.4 to 7.6 is a desirable pH range. It is essential to maintain correct pH, see Table 10.
If pH becomes too high (over alkaline), it has these effects:
1. Greatly lowers the ability of chlorine to destroy bacteria and algae.
2. Water becomes cloudy.
3. There is more danger of scale formation on the plaster or in the heat exchanger tubing.
4. Filter elements may become blocked.
If pH is too low (over acid) the following conditions may occur:
1. Excessive eye burn or skin irritation.
2. Etching of the plaster.
3. Corrosion of metal fixtures in the filtration and recirculation system, which may create brown,
blue, green, or sometimes almost black stains on the plaster.
4. Corrosion of copper tubes in the heater, which may cause leaks.
5. If you have a sand and gravel filter, the alum used as a filter aid may dissolve and pass
through the filter.
CAUTION: Do not test for pH when the chlorine residual is 3.0 ppm or higher, or bromine
residual is 6.0 ppm or higher. See your local pool supply store for help in properly balancing
your water chemistry.
RULE: Chemicals that are acid lower pH. Chemicals that are alkaline raise pH.
Section 6. Maintenance I pg 54