Water Terminology - HotSpring Landmark Owner's Manual

Answer: While over-exposure to any chemical can be unhealthful, many low levels of chemicals are effective and beneficial. In the case of spa
®
water, the chemicals recommended in the Hot Spring water maintenance program are needed to protect the user from water-borne pathogens
®
(disease-causing microbes) and to prevent corrosion of spa components. The EverFresh water care system minimizes the use of chemicals with
harsh side effects, such as halogen sanitizers.
Question: Why isn't water chemistry damage covered by the warranty?
Answer: The chemical levels and water quality of the water in the spa are under your direct control. With proper basic care, the spa will provide
many years of hot water relaxation. If you are unsure about any chemical or its usage in the spa, contact your Authorized Dealer, or Watkins
Manufacturing Corporation.

WATER TERMINOLOGY

The following chemical terms are used in this Water Quality and Maintenance section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better
understand the water maintenance process.
Bromamines: Compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines,
bromamines have no pungent odor, and are effective sanitizers.
Bromine: A halogen sanitizer (in the same chemical family as chlorine). Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet, or granular form. See the DO's
and DON'Ts of Spa Water Maintenance for additional information.
Calcium Hardness: The amount of dissolved calcium in the spa water. This should be approximately 150-200 ppm. High levels of calcium can
cause cloudy water and scaling. Low levels can cause harm to the spa equipment.
Chloramines: Compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause eye
irritation as well as having a strong odor. Unlike bromamines, chloramines are weaker, slower sanitizers.
Chlorine: An efficient sanitizing chemical for spas. Watkins Manufacturing Corporation recommends the use of sodium dichlor-type granulated
chlorine. This type is preferred because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral.
Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual: The amount of chlorine or bromine remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been satisfied. The residual
is, therefore, the amount of sanitizer which is chemically available to kill bacteria, viruses and algae.
Corrosion: The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally, corrosion is caused by low pH or by water
with levels of TA, CH, pH or sanitizer which are outside the recommended ranges.
DPD: The preferred reagent used in test kits to measure the Free Available Chlorine.
Halogen: Any one of these five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.
MPS: Monopersulfate is the non-chlorine oxidizer used with the FreshWater silver ion purification system.
Ag + ®
Nitric Acid: The formulation of nitric acid, a highly corrosive chemical, is a byproduct of the ozone generating process. Nitric acid is produced in
very small quantities and is readily dissolved in the water stream with ozone.
Oxidizer: The use of an oxidizing chemical is to prevent the buildup of contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, minimize combined chlorine
and improve water clarity.
Ozone: Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which is produced in nature and artificially by man. Ozone forms no byproducts of chloramines (ozone
actually oxidizes chloramines) and will not alter the water's pH.
Pathogen: A microorganism such as bacterium that cause disease.
pH: The measure of the spa water's acidity and alkalinity. The recommended pH for the spa water is 7.4 to 7.6. Below 7.0 (considered neutral), the
spa water is too acidic and can damage the heating system. Above 7.8, the water is too alkaline and can result in cloudy water, and scale
formation on the shell and heater.
ppm: The abbreviation of "parts per million", the standard measurement of chemical concentration in water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per liter).
Reagent: A chemical material in liquid, powder, or tablet form for use in chemical testing.
Sanitizer: Sanitizers are added and maintained at recommended residuals to protect bathers against pathogenic organisms which can cause
disease and infection in spa water.
Scale: Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines, and clog filters. Generally, scaling is caused by
mineral content combined with high pH. Additionally, scale forms more readily at higher water temperatures.
Super-Chlorination: Also known as "shock treatment." Super-Chlorination is a process of adding significant doses of a quick dissolving sanitizer
("dichlor" is recommended) to oxidize non-filterable organic waste and to remove chloramines and bromamines.
Total Alkalinity: The amount of bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides present in spa water. Proper total alkalinity is important for pH control.
If the TA is too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. If the TA is too low, the pH will be difficult to hold at the proper level. The desired range of TA in
spa water is 125 to 150 ppm.
Page 52
Water Quality and Maintenance