Have You Checked Your Alkalinity Today?

ALKALINITY EXPLAINED, AS IT PERTAINS TO SWIMMING POOLS

Your Total Alkalinity (TA) is a measure of the alkaline substances that are in the water. In swimming pool water, we are concerned with Bicarbonate Alkalinity. This should be maintained between 80 ppm and 120 ppm.

When your Total Alkalinity is within this range, it prevents rapid pH changes and stabilizes the pH level. This is also referred to as the pH Buffer.

If your TA becomes too low, Marcite plaster or Gunite surfaces can become etched, the pool\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s walls and floor can stain, and metals may corrode. Low TA levels will cause the pH to bounce around, rapidly going up and down, which will seriously interfere with the normal function of any ORP Controller. It is very common for a pool operator to find the chlorine levels to be extremely high in the mornings due to a very low TA level.

If your TA becomes too high, it becomes difficult to lower the pH level. Pool water may become cloudy due to high pH levels. Your ORP Controller will be constantly adding acid or CO2 with little to no results. This will also cause your chlorine to lose its effectiveness as a disinfectant. Did you know that CO2 adds alkalinity to your water?

Frey Technologies strongly recommends that you test your Total Alkalinity regularly. Keeping your TA within range is key to keeping your pool water chemically well balanced.
Frey Technologies offers Service Contracts that can be tailored to your facilities individual needs. Annual Visits, Quarterly Visits, or maybe a Monthly Service Plan could be just what you need. We can put together a plan that will work just for you!

 Written by: Mike Wilson, January 2015 Newsletter