Have you noticed that your pool water has become cloudy or your skin feels itchy after swimming? These problems may be related to high pool water pH levels. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the causes and dangers of high pH levels in swimming pools and how to effectively reduce them to help you keep your pool water clear and healthy.
Water And pH
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It is a logarithmic scale ranging from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidity and values above 7 indicate alkalinity (or basicity).
Water is a neutral substance with a pH of 7. However, the pH of water can be affected by a number of factors, including:
- Dissolved minerals and gases: Substances such as carbon dioxide and minerals can change the pH of water. For example, rainwater is slightly acidic due to dissolved atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- Human activities: Industrial processes, pollution and agricultural runoff can introduce substances that alter the pH of water bodies.
High pH Factor In Swimming Pools
Chemical factors
Algae: Algae consume carbon dioxide in the water as they grow, causing the pH to rise.
Disinfectants: Chlorine-based disinfectants such as calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite decompose in the water to produce alkaline substances, which raise the pH.
Other chemicals: Some water treatment agents or other chemicals, if used improperly, can also affect the pH of water.
Physical factors
Temperature: As water temperature increases, the solubility of carbon dioxide in water decreases, resulting in an increase in pH.
Evaporation: Evaporation of water concentrates the alkaline substances in the water, causing the pH to rise.
Environmental factors
Water source: the alkalinity of tap water will affect the pH value of pool water.
Pool wall materials: Some pool wall materials, such as pebbles and gypsum, will release alkaline substances, increasing pH.
Time Factors
Time lapse: As time passes, the chemical reactions in the pool water continue to take place and the pH level will gradually rise.
Overcorrection of LSI
The LSI (Langelier Saturation Index) is an indicator used to assess whether or not the water is saturated with calcium carbonate. When the LSI is well below 0.00, it indicates that the water is oversaturated with calcium carbonate and the water becomes aggressive and prone to corrosion of pipes and equipment. When you add too much acid, you upset the acid-base balance in the water. The water will try to restore the balance and neutralize the excess acid by dissolving surrounding materials, which can adversely affect water quality.
Effect of High pH
- Decreased chlorine activity: High pH values reduce the bactericidal effect of chlorine. When chlorine is in an alkaline environment, the amount of its active ingredient hypochlorous acid (HOCl) decreases, while the amount of hypochlorite ion (OCl-) increases. The bactericidal ability of hypochlorous acid is much higher than that of hypochlorite ion, therefore, high pH value will reduce the disinfecting effect of swimming pool water, leading to algae growth, bacterial reproduction, and affecting water quality.
- Calcium and magnesium ion deposition: High pH value will prompt the formation of calcium and magnesium ions in the water, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and other insoluble compounds, these compounds will be deposited in the pool wall, pipes, filters, etc., forming scale. Reduce the efficiency of the equipment, or even damage the equipment.
- Skin irritation: High pH water can cause skin irritation, itching, redness and swelling. Eye irritation is even greater and can lead to red, swollen and painful eyes.
- Turbidity: High pH levels can affect the clarity of water, resulting in turbidity.
- Increased corrosiveness: Although a high pH is usually considered alkaline, excessive pH can have a corrosive effect on certain metals.
Frequency of pH Testing In Swimming Pools
- Frequency of use: Pools that are used frequently require more frequent testing.
- Climatic conditions: Climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall can affect water quality and require more frequent testing.
- Stability of water quality: If the water quality is prone to fluctuations, more frequent testing is needed.
- Frequency of chemical additions: It is a good idea to check the pH level every time a chemical is added.
How Do I Test for High pH in The Swimming Pool?
For accurate and reliable results, we recommend the use of a pH meter. pH meters are a convenient tool for taking accurate and precise pH readings in swimming pools. To use the pH meter, simply dip the electrode into a water sample taken from the pool. The meter will then display the pH value on its digital screen. We recommend the Apure A30 ph meter, which can detect both ph and orp values at the same time, saving you a lot of time.
The pH tester is a convenient and fast pH measurement tool, suitable for occasions that do not require a high degree of measurement accuracy, take a certain amount of swimming pool water sample, drop the tester into the water sample. According to the color change of the water sample, compare with the standard colorimetric card, you can read the pH value.
How Do I Lower The pH Level of My Pool?
Keeping the pH of your pool water within the ideal range is an important part of ensuring healthy pool water. By regularly testing the pH level, choosing the right pH reducer, and following proper procedures, you can easily solve high pH problems and give your pool a fresh look.
Summary
Apure has been specializing in water quality monitoring for many years, with rich experience and professional technical team. Adopting advanced sensor technology, the measurement accuracy is high and the data is reliable. Provide water quality instruments that can detect ph in addition to flow meters, temperature measurement, level meters, pressure measurement and ozone generators, welcome to contact us for customization.