THE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Alternative Water Treatment Options

When it comes to low and no chlorine water treatment options, there’s no shortage of solutions on offer these days. As owners seek alternative, and often gentler ways to treat pool and spa water effectively, new chemical products have been developed and systems such as UV and Ozone have been added to. With the goal of reducing chlorine an important one for many, we look at some of the options available in 2018 By Karen Whitney

W

ay back in the early days of water purification, talking about an alternative to chlorine was a bit like entering a parallel universe. Reduce or worse still, not use chlorine? Are you mad? Pools would be awash with pathogens and bathers would be dropping like flies with Crypto, E-coli and Guardia. But that was then and this is now. Chlorine of course still has an established place at the heart of the pool and spa industry but there are more and more systems entering the market that are efficient in use and effective in swiftly killing off any bacterial introduction. In addition these modern methods are kinder to the environment and to the skin and eyes of swimmers and we take a closer look at just some of the options available.

SO WHAT’S WRONG WITH CHLORINE? Justin Jeffries, Water Treatment Manager at Plastica, answered: “Not much, it's served our industry well for over a hundred years now. However, it does have its drawbacks. There is a need for less harsh alternatives. Two worth looking at are the Quantum pump that uses AOP technology and the Resilience salt chlorination generator.” What is AOP? Advanced Oxidisation Process has emerged as the modern method of treating waterborne pathogens. The use of AOP in domestic swimming pools has grown in popularity worldwide and the UK is starting to catch up. Quantum has been designed as an AOP device for treating domestic swimming pool water, and its growth in popularity can be attributed to the fact that it is extremely effective at destroying pathogens that are resistant to chlorine, particularly Cryptosporidium that plagues swimming pools. Quantum leaves no residual in pool water and it noticeably improves the clarity of pool water. The chemistry of AOP sounds complex, but the reality of Quantum is quite simple: contaminated water in, pure, sterile water out. Salt chlorination – natural salt water chlorinators are the most economical, natural

www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 59-62_SPN_Aug_2018_Alternative_Approach_Rev.indd 59

and environmentally friendly disinfection systems for swimming pools and spas converting natural table salt into chlorine. This sanitises the water while eliminating the negative side effects associated with traditional chlorine. A low concentration of salt is converted through low voltage in a safe electrolysis cell. This creates a pure form of ‘free chlorine’ that destroys algae and bacteria. It then reverts back into salt (sodium chloride). This sanitation process is continuous, eliminating the need to add any extra disinfecting chemicals to the pool. Plastica offer their ‘Resilience C Salt Chlorine Generator’, a simple, easy to use, suitable for indoor or outdoor pools, self cleaning and chlorine free device.

TOTAL WATER PRODUCTS HAVE THE KEY TO ALGAE FREE POOLS Phosphate is the major food source for algae growth in swimming pools. Whilst chlorine and algaecides kill or prevent algae they do not remove unwanted phosphate from the water. As algae dies it releases phosphate, Available through Plastica, the Quantum with its Advanced Oxidisation Process provides a bacteria free swimming environment

Phosphate elimination is effectively achieved by implementing the Lo-Chlor Phosphate Protection Programme to keep pools algae free

unless the phosphate is removed it remains as a food source for new algae growth. The Lo-Chlor Phosphate Protection Program is key to keeping pools algae free, maintaining maximum water quality and allowing other chemicals to work at their most effective level. Their expertise in this area has ensured that the Lo-Chlor Starver® range of products are the phosphate removers of choice across Europe. Lo-Chlor Starver® X is a curative for high phosphate levels and should be used when the level of phosphate is 2,000ppb or above. This unique concentrated product is the initial shock treatment for pools. Each 1 litre dose will remove up to 6,000ppb per 50,000 litres of water. Once shocked lower phosphate levels can be effectively managed using Lo-Chlor Starver®. Lo-Chlor Starver® is a preventative and should be used ongoing as a maintenance product to keep the phosphate level as close to zero as possible. This patented product is designed for weekly use once the level is below 2,000ppb. Current market conditions indicate rising prices of chlorine sanitisers, linked with shortening of supply. By removing phosphate and eliminating algae the demand for chlorine as a sanitiser is reduced.

SPN August 2018 59 30/07/2018 17:01