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Water balance
The foundations of quality and safety in collective swimming pools
Water balance in public pools is a fundamental element in guaranteeing the quality and safety of the bathing environment.
By regularly monitoring and adjusting pH, TAC and TH, pool operators can ensure a comfortable and safe bathing experience for their swimmers, while extending the life of their facilities.
By investing in the effective management of water chemistry, public pools can maintain their reputation as places of relaxation and enjoyment for all who use them.
The crucial importance of water balance
Many parameters to take into account
The water in a community pool is much more than just a liquid. It is a complex ecosystem in which each component plays an essential role.
Among the many aspects to take into account, the chemical balance of the water, in particular the pH (Hydrogen Potential), the TAC (Total Alkalinity) and the TH (Hardness), is of vital importance.
But there are also 2 important concepts to take into account: flocculation and the use of anti-scale products. Flocculation clarifies the water and reduces turbidity, while antiliming prevents limescale and corrosion problems.
By combining the maintenance of all these parameters, pool managers can guarantee clean, clear and safe water for swimmers, providing an exceptional bathing experience for all users.
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How to balance your pool water
Ocedis tips
The pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water on a scale of 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. For a public pool, the optimum pH is generally between 7.2 and 7.6. A pH that is too low can cause eye and skin irritation, while a pH that is too high can cause disinfection chemicals to lose their effectiveness. Keeping the pH within this optimum range ensures a comfortable and safe bathing environment for swimmers.
TAC, or Total Alkalinity, is a measure of water's ability to resist changes in pH. Adequate TAC acts as a buffer, stabilising the pH of the water and preventing sudden fluctuations. A recommended TAC level is generally between 80 and 120 ppm (parts per million). Too low a TAC can make the water more sensitive to pH variations, while too high a TAC can lead to mineral saturation and turbidity problems. Maintaining an optimum TAC is therefore essential to ensure water stability and minimise pH variations.
TH, or Hardness Level, measures the concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium in water. An adequate TH level helps prevent limescale deposits and corrosion problems in pool equipment. However, a TH level that is too high can lead to water turbidity and scale problems, while a TH level that is too low can cause corrosion of metal equipment. It is recommended to keep the TH within a range of 200 to 400 ppm for a communal pool.
Water balance
treatment
A stabilised pH allows :
- bathers' comfort
- effective disinfection
Chemical pH corrections using pH MINUS acid or pH PLUS base affect the elements dissolved in the water, such as calcium, magnesium and mineral salts.
How to find your balance
Taylor's table
The water balance represented by the Taylor balance is established from the pH, TAC and TH. This diagram makes it possible to establish the relationship between these 3 parameters with precision.
The Taylor scale allows you to visually check whether your water is balanced and to set the ideal value for your parameters. It will also help you save money by avoiding over-consumption of products.
Method 1: Determine the equilibrium pH
You know your TAC and TH parameters
Draw a straight line in the ideal zone linking your TAC and your TH
The ideal pH is the point where your line intersects the pH column.
Method 2: Determine the ideal TAC based on an ideal pH
Draw a straight line between your TH and an ideal pH of 7.2
You can then determine the ideal TAC for your water
To correct this, use pH minus liquid or alcafix
Did you know?
For greater effectiveness, choose Ocedis ultra-concentrated products reserved for professionals!
Ocedis offers you professional ph minus liquid concentrated at 35% and 50%.
FLOCULATION
A crucial step for clear, healthy pool water
Flocculation is an essential step in pool maintenance that keeps the water clear and healthy.
In simple terms, flocculation is the process of using a chemical, called a flocculant, to group small particles suspended in the water into larger, heavier clusters, which can then be easily filtered or vacuumed up.
This procedure is particularly useful when your pool water appears cloudy or milky, as it can help remove impurities that are too small to be captured by the pool's standard filtration system. However, it is important to note that flocculation must be carried out with care.
Be aware that flocculation can affect the pH of the water, so it is always advisable to test the water after flocculation to ensure that the chemical balance is correct.
Indicative doses for public swimming pools :
| Sand-filtered basin | 120 m³ | 400 m³ | 1000 m³ |
| Recycling/day | 1500 m³ / jr | 4000 m³ / jr | 8000 m³ / jr |
| Covered pool | 0.3 l / jr | 0.8 l / jr | 1.5 l / jr |
| Open-air pool | 0.7 l / jr | 1.5 l / jr | 2.5 l / jr |