Proper pooltesting2012

PROPER POOL & SPA TESTING
PROCEDURES  
INCLUDING THE USE OF STANDARDS
TO VERIFY RESULTS"

By Ivars Jaunakais
Pool Industry Expo - Thursday, September 27 / 1 – 3 PM

Over 12 million pools and 5 million spa in the 
United States all require maintenance "

TODAY’S TOPICS"

  Different testing methods and techniques"
  The Importance of Balanced Water"
  Common pool water parameters and treatment"
  Proper water quality testing techniques"
  Using a Standard to verify testing method &
reagents"

FREQUENT TESTING IS VITAL"
  Pools and Spas must be
maintained in a conscientious
way and testing is the ﬁrst step"
  Primarily for the safety of bathers"
  Avoids Liability issues "
  Proper and frequent testing
practices reap ﬁnancial rewards"
  A must to keep pool balanced "
"

TESTING GOALS"
  Happy customers "
  Produce accurate, and
reliable results"
  Accurate results support
correct maintenance,
which saves you time
(and money)"
  The time saved will allow
you to develop new
customers, and you will
have good reputation "

MAINTAINING HEALTHY POOLS
& SPAS REQUIRE"
  Circulation"
  Filtration"
  Routine  
Cleaning 
and Maintenance"
  Testing pool water"
  Testing make-up water
or at least know what is
quality of make-up
water"

POOLSIDE TESTING  
CHALLENGES "
  Poolside testing often performed
under harsh environmental
conditions"
  Temperature, humidity, sunlight &
wind can affect results & operator"
  Distractions include poolside
activity & noise"

POOLSIDE TESTING  
CHALLENGES "
  Stability of some test reagents
(especially liquid reagents) are
affected by prolonged exposure to
elevated Temperature & Sunlight "
  Accurate results can be a
challenge at pool-side"

TO HAVE GOOD RESULTS TEST
SHOULD BE:
"
  Acceptable or compliant  
(i.e., Chlorine test uses DPD) "
  Appropriate for staff technical ability"
  Quality reagents & equipment that are reliable &
stable"
  Unaffected by interferences"
  Accurate when staff performs test correctly"

TEST METHODS 
CONSIDERATIONS 
 
"
Cost per test varies ($0.02 to $0.30 up to $10)"
  Time to run test (30 seconds to 5 minutes)"
  Ease of use"
  Level of operator training required"
  Portability & stability of test kits & reagents "
  Compliance testing requirements if testing public
or commercial pools and spas (meets State
Health Department approval)"
  Veriﬁcation of test with a test Standard meets
your expectation "

COLORIMETIC TESTS 
"
Four basic photometric methods used in testing pool
& spa water:"
  1 Digital Photometer & Reagent which can be:
liquid, powder, tablet, and reagent strip "
  2 Colorimetric titration (counting drops)"
  3 Comparator color test that uses a reagent
which can be: liquid, powder, tablet, or reagent
strip (test tube and comparator color chart)"
  4 Test strips most for testing Free Chlorine, pH,
Alkalinity, which now are available with reader or
scanner devices"

SUMMARY OF TESTING TOOLS"
  Photometers & reagents"
  Titration reagents "
  Comparator Test"
  Test Strips "

TEST METHOD #1 
Photometer and Reagent 
(Most accurate method)
!
  Photometers use photometric or
precipitation chemistries and the color
(or precipitate) is measured by an
Digital measuring instrument "
  No visual color matching"
  They measure transmission of light at
a given wavelength through the
reacted water sample"
  Most accurate of all tests with
0.01PPM resolution"

TEST METHOD #2  
Colorimetric (visual) titration  
Commonly used DPD method!

  Titrations use colorimetric chemistries
that use visual color change for
determining concentration"
  End point Color change can be difﬁcult to
judge "
  Accurate counting of drops is required"
  Technique dependent (swirling but on
site mixers are now available)"
  Math required"
  For Chlorine 0.2 PPM and for Hardness
20PPM is typical resolution"

TEST METHOD #3  
Colorimetric reagent with color comparator 
 
"
  Inexpensive reagents"
  Gives only minimum resolution"
  Reagents may have stability issues"
  Requires good visual judgment"
  Gives only 0.4 resolution for pH "
  and 1PPM resolution for Chlorine"

TEST METHOD #4  
Test strips with  
visual matching color chart
"
  Quick and easy"
  Inexpensive"
  Suitable for screening"
  Good shelf life "
  pH resolution of 0.4"
  Poor chlorine resolution of 1 PPM"
or greater"
"

WATER BALANCE"
  Deﬁned as water that will neither scale nor
corrode pool or spa surfaces and/or equipment"
  Corrosion involves the dissolving or wearing-
away of pool wall, pipes or equipment"
  Scale is the white deposit or precipitate that
builds up on ﬁxtures, surfaces, & equipment "
  Balanced water is non-irritating to eyes & skin
of bathers, & allows sanitizer to work effectively "

HEALTHY POOL WATER "

You may start with Balanced
Water but pool chemicals are
introduced that affect pH,
Total Alkalinity, Calcium
Hardness, and TDS

BALANCED POOL WATER "
  Protects bathers health – prevent transmission of
infectious disease, prevent skin irritation, respiratory
problems, eye irritation; etc"
  Protects Pool or Spa surfaces & Equipment from
corrosion and/or scale-formation, & discoloration"
  Minimizes potential Health hazards from disinfection by-
products (combined chlorine)"
  Maintains compliance with Health Dept regulations"
"
“Majority of pool problems are caused by poor water
quality”"
"

WATER BALANCE"
  Healthy Water = Balanced Water"
  For Balanced Water 6 things to consider
(Components of Langelier Saturation Index) "
  pH"
  Total Alkalinity"
  Calcium Hardness"
  Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)"
  Temperature"
  Cyanuric Acid (CY)"
"

Sources of Chemicals in Pool Water  
"
  Chemicals used to treat source or make-up water,
including disinfection by-products, such as lime & alkalis,
phosphates and for some chlorine treated systems,
monochloramines"
  Chemicals used to treat pool water - pH correction
chemicals, sanitizers, oxidizers, stabilizer, chemicals for
treating algae, mold, etc."
  Bather’s sweat, urine, dirt, lotions, sunscreen,
cosmetics, soap residues, deodorant, hair spray, etc."
  Items introduced from environment such as debris, dirt,
leaves , vegetation, etc., also contribute chemicals"
  Disinfection by-products - trihalomethanes, haloacetic
acids, chlorate, nitrogen trichloride, etc."
  Rain water"

PARAMETERS THAT AFFECT
WATER BALANCE 
"

pH"
  pH is most important factor"
  Affects all other chemical / balance parameters"
  Determines acidity of water "
  Measured on a scale from 0-14 "
  pH 7 is neutral"
  Below 7 is acidic (e.g. lemon juice and coke)"
  Above 7 is basic or alkaline (e.g. baking soda
and concrete) "

pH"
  pH in the ideal range will be comfortable
for human eye at 7.5"
  Pool water pH is acceptable from 7.2 - 7.8 "
  Ideal pH range is 7.4 - 7.6 "
  Testing should be done DAILY!"
  High pH reduces Chlorine’s effectiveness"

pH Testing Methods (resolution)
"

  Photometric(0.1)"
  pH meter(0.01)"
  pH comparator(0.2)"
  Test Strips(0.3)"

TOTAL ALKALINITY (AL)
"
  The measure of how much acid can be added to
a liquid without causing a significant change in
pH

  Ability of water to resist a change in pH
-“Buffering capacity”

  Water with an appropriate amount of AL will
resist wide & rapid fluctuations in pH (called pH
bounce)

  Bicarbonates, carbonates, & hydroxide in water

  Proper AL stabilizes pH

"

  If AL is low, pH will be readily affected by
anything introduced into pool "
  If AL is high, pH will be difﬁcult to adjust (water
will scale) "
  Total Alkalinity is key to water balance"
  Recommended that it should be adjusted
FIRST, even before pH"
  Addition of acid or alkaline to adjust pool or spa
Alkalinity will change pH, and vice versa"

TOTAL ALKALINITY (AL) 
"
Low Alkalinity can cause:"
  Wide & rapid pH ﬂuctuations "
  Corrosion of pool or spa & equipment "
  Skin / Eye Irritation "
  Cloudy water"
  Adding acid such as Muriatic Acid will
lower pH & Alkalinity"

"
  Because different sanitizers have different
pHs, particular sanitizer used affects
Alkalinity"
  Ideal level is 80-100 ppm with sanitizers
such as Sodium, Calcium, or Lithium
Hypochlorite"
  Ideal level is 100-120 ppm with sanitizers
such as Dichlor, Trichlor, Bromine, or
Chlorine Gas"
  Maximum must be below 160 PPM"
  NOTE: Parts per million (ppm) is equivalent to milligrams per liter (mg/L).

TOTAL ALKAINITY  
TEST METHODS (resolution)
"

  Photometric (1PPM)"
  Titration (10PPM)"
  Test Strips (40PPM)"

CALCIUM HARDNESS (CA)
"
  Deﬁned as the amount of Calcium Salts in
water (reported as Calcium Carbonate) "
  Term Calcium Hardness used because
hardness in tap water is due to Calcium"
  Magnesium, barium & sulfate also can
contribute to Hardness"
  Source water used to ﬁll pool will vary in
its calcium content depending on region of
country & whether city or well water"
  Ideal range is 200-400 PPM"
  Maximum of 1000 PPM ???"

CALCIUM HARDNESS (CA)
"

CALCIUM HARDNESS (CA) 
"

  Should be tested regularly"
  Pool & spa water must have a certain amount of
Calcium "
  Calcium Hardness, when outside optimal range,
can either allow corrosion to occur or cause
scaling "
  Make-up water with high calcium is “hard water”"
  Make-up water with low calcium is “soft water” "
  Low water hardness allows corrosion or pitting of
calcium rich surfaces such as concrete, plaster,
& grout "

CALCIUM HARDNESS 
"

  Photometric (1 to 5 PPM)"
  Titration (20PPM)"
  Test Strips (over 50 PPM)"

TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS 
(TDS)
"
  TDS is the total of all dissolved material in water"
"
  TDS value is contributed & inﬂuenced by ions of
calcium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, sodium,
potassium, phosphate, nitrate, & all other ions;
Alkalinity; Cyanuric Acid; & other chemicals
present in water"

  If it is dissolved in the water, it is part of TDS"

(TDS)
"
High TDS levels may increase undesirable events:"
1.  Algae growth despite adequate sanitizer"
2.  Corrosion despite water being otherwise
balanced"
3.  Cloudy water despite adequate ﬁltration"
4.  Eye & skin irritation"
5.  Deposits on pool wall"

(TDS)
"

  Over time, TDS will increase in a pool"
  TDS may actually double in a year"
  Why? - chemicals are added, debris &
dirt blow or wash in, & water evaporates"
  If TDS exceeds 1500 ppm of initial level,
drain & replace at least some of water"
  TDS maximum 3000 ppm ?? "

TESTING TOTAL DISSOLVED
SOLIDS

Should test MONTHLY using
  Digital Conductivity meter ($20 - $900)
(can do thousands of tests)
  Test strips ($0.30 to $0.50 per test)

  Maximum TDS is 1500 PPM over start-up TDS
  Some professionals find 5000 PPM TDS in pool
water is can be OK

TEMPERATURE"

  Temperature is a water balance factor
but difﬁcult to control"
  Pool water is usually held at between  
78-82◦ F. "
  Spa water is held much higher at from 
96-104◦ F"
  Test with digital or IR thermometer"

SANITIZER AND DISINFECTANTS"
  A disinfectant kills disease-causing organisms"
  A sanitizer kills all microorganisms with impunity,
(USA EPA 99.9% effective) i.e. , chlorine"
  Oxidation refers to the “chemical reaction” that
organic contaminants or waste products undergo "
Because pool environment is constantly exposed
to new contaminants, two important
considerations:"
1.  Sanitize water to kill microorganisms"
2.  Oxidize organic contaminants"

CHLORINE"

  Chlorine is most popular sanitizer, disinfectant,
algae killer, & oxidizer in the world"
  Inexpensive, safe when used properly, &
effective "
  In a pool or a spa, chlorine pulls double-duty as
a sanitizer & oxidizer"
  Chlorine is most effective under certain
conditions – The pH is most important factor &
must be in optimal range in order for chlorine to
be effective"

pH VERSUS CHLORINE SPECIES 
"

Percent HOCl and OCl- vs. pH
100

90
Percent HOCl and OCl-

80 HOCl
Hypochlorous Acid
70

60
HOCl

50 OCl-

40

30
OCl-
20 Hypochlorite Ion

10

0
6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5

pH

CHLORINE

  Effective against a broad range of microorganisms "
  More than 79,000 tons per year are used in  
United States & Canada to treat water "
  Monitoring chlorine concentrations is very important "
  Used in pools to protect bathers health, water clarity & 
equipment"
  Inactivation of pathogens depends on contact time"
  In USA Health Departments require public pools to"
be routinely tested for chlorine concentration "

GERM INACTIVATION TIME IN  
1 ppm CHLORINATED WATER "
GERM" INACTIVATION TIME"
E. Coli O157:H7  Less than 1 minute"
Bacterium"

Hepatitis A  About 16 minutes"
Virus"

Giardia  About 45 minutes"
Parasite"

Cryptosporidium  About 15300 minutes 
Parasite" (10.6 days)"

pH 7.5, 77 F"

SOURCES OF
CHLORINE"
Chemical  Chemical  Form" % Chlorine"
Name" Formula"

Chlorine Cl2 " Gas" 100%"
Gas"
Calcium  Ca(OCl)2 " Solid" 65-70%"
Hypochlorite"

Sodium  NaOCl " Liquid" ~12% "
Hypochlorite"

ABOUT SOURCES OF 
CHLORINE"
  Despite their chemical & physical
differences, they all form hypochlorous
acid, or as more commonly know in the
pool industry as Chlorine"
  This change occurs when added to water"
  Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the effective
disinfecting agent "

CHLORINE CHEMSTRY"

  The sum of Hypochlorous acid
(HOCI) and Hypochlorite ion  
(OCI ¯) is called free chlorine, and
the chemical equation or
relationship is: 
 
"
51

HYPOCHLOROUS ACID REACTIONS"
  Two chemical reactions impact the performance 
of Hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant:"
  FIRST REACTION involves a hydroxide ion (OH¯) "
  OH¯ is available in aqueous solution especially 
when pH level is above 7 which causes 
Hypochlorous acid to form Hypochlorite ion "
  Hypochlorite ion is less than one third as effective a
disinfectant as Hypochlorous acid"
  The next slide shows the relationship between pH
versus chlorine species (Hypochlorous acid and
Hypochlorite ion) "

52

CHLORINE REACTION"

  The SECOND REACTION is a series of chlorine
reactions that occur with ammonia (NH3) &
organic nitrogen compounds such as proteins &
amino acids in the pool to form chloramines"
  Chloramines are less effective disinfectants "
  Active chlorine can be transferred from inorganic
chloramine to amine (organic) containing
compounds "

BREAKPOINT CHLORINATION

  The process which eliminates both the combined
chlorine and the ammonia problem responsible for
creating the chloramine is called Breakpoint
Chlorination
  In the pool industry its called “Shock” also called
“Super-Chlorination”
 Shock is required daily, weekly or monthly and
depends on a variety of considerations

55

TOTAL CHLORINE

  Total chlorine is the sum of free chlorine and
combined chlorine
  Free chlorine and total chlorine are monitored by
automated equipment and confirmed by poolside
testing for swimmer protection
Total Chlorine =
Free Chlorine + Combined Chlorine

56

EPA ACCEPTED 
CHLORINE TEST METHODS 
(FREE AND TOTAL)"

  DPD photometric Digital Meter"
  DPD-FAS Titrimetric "
  DPD Colorimetric Comparator"
  TMB Test Strip (visual but only for
free chlorine)"

DPD CHLORINE TESTING"
  DPD methods have become preferred for chlorine
measurement "
  DPD methods determine concentration by measuring
intensity of color formed when chlorine reacts with DPD "
  DPD-FAS Titration method determines chlorine by
measuring amount of FAS Titrant needed to bleach out
DPD-chlorine color formed "
  State health departments accept DPD tests because
they are quick, enjoy wide acceptance & are US EPA
approved"

TOTAL CHLORINE (TC) =
FREE CHLORINE (FC) + COMBINED
CHLORINE
  Combined chlorine = TC - FC

  Free chlorine = 1.58 ppm (FC)

  Total chlorine = 1.89 ppm (TC)

  Combined chlorine = 1.89 – 1.58 = 0.31 ppm
Combined chlorine is above the recommend level of 0.20
ppm and suggests pool needs to be shocked: in this
example ( 10 X 0.31 = 3.1 ) this pool can be shocked by
increasing the pool chlorine level by 3.1 ppm

59

CHLORINE TESTING"

•  Test Frequency: Daily/ multiple times/day
depending on bather load"
• Ideal is 2.0-4.0 ppm in a pool and 3.0-4.0 ppm
in a spa"
• High Chlorine level can cause Eye / skin
irritation "
• Low Chlorine level can cause Illness and
Disease and Skin irritation from such as a
bacterial rash"

COLORIMETER + LIQUID DPD POOLSIDE
TESTING PROCEDURE"

1.  Rinse out photocell 3 times with pool water"
2.  Fill to 10 ml line with pool water sample"
3.  Cap cell, wipe cell wall "
4.  Place cell in colorimeter and zero meter"
5.  remove cell and uncap"
6.  add ﬁve drops of buffer DPD-1 solution"
7.  add ﬁve drops of indicator DPD-2 solution"
8.  cap cell and mix for a few seconds "
9.  wipe cell wall "
10.  place in colorimeter and read chlorine result"

COLORIMETER + DPD-1 POWDER PILLOW
POOLSIDE TESTING PROCEDURE"

1.  Rinse out photocell 3 times with pool water sample"
5.  remove cell and uncap"
6.  Tear open powder pillow and add DPD-1 "
7.  Cap cell and mix for 20 seconds "
8.  Wipe cell wall "
9.  Place in colorimeter and read chlorine result"

COLORIMETER + DPD-1 TABLET
POOLSIDE TESTING PROCEDURE"

1.  Rinse out photocell 3 times with pool water sample"
2.  Fill cell to 10 ml line with pool water sample "
5.  Remove cell, uncap cell, "
6.  Pour out water except for a few drops"
7.  Add DPD-1 Tablet and crush with tablet crusher"
8.  Add pool water back to 10 ml line "
9.  Cap cell and mix for about 20 seconds "
10.  Wipe cell wall "
11.  Place in colorimeter and read chlorine result"

COLORIMETER + DPD-1 TEST STRIP POOLSIDE
TESTING PROCEDURE"

1.  Rinse out photocell 3 times with pool water"
2.  Fill meter cell to capacity with pool water"
3.  Turn meter on and Zero "
4.  Dip DPD-1 Test Strip into sample for 20 seconds
with back and forth motion (Press “READ” button
that begins countdown timer)"
5.  Read chlorine result"
 
NOTE: This is a recent development in DPD testing"

CYANURIC ACID"
  Accepted Stabilizer for out door chlorinated
swimming pools & spas"
  Bonds with chlorine to protect it from sun’s
ultraviolet ray destruction "
  Reduces the amount of chlorine needed to
maintain chlorine residual in outdoor pools"
  No know toxicity"
  Does not stabilize Bromine"
  Over dose (above 60PPM) causes problems"
  CY reduces effectiveness of chlorine "

CYANURIC ACID"

  Contributes to the overall Alkalinity
level of pool water"
"
  Provides buffer capacity"

  Does not provide corrosion protection"

CYANURIC ACID"
Forms weak reversible bond with Free
Available Chlorine
Does not affect DPD Test for Free CL
Degree to which Cyanuric Acid complexes
with Free Chlorine is affected by
  pH
  Concentration of Free Chlorine
  Concentration of Cyanuric Acid

CYANURIC ACID"
Effective Concentration CYA reported to be"
8 – 10 times Free Chlorine concentration"
"
  Amount CYA required to stabilize Free Cl"
  " 10 ppm CYA - 1.5 ppm Free Cl "
  " 25 ppm CYA - 3.0 ppm Free CL"
  40 ppm CYA - 5.0 ppm Free Cl "
  " 50 ppm CYA - 6.0 ppm Free CL"
"

CYANURIC ACID"

Cyanuric Acid Levels in USA "
One Study 20 Years ago reported:""
  Average concentration – 76 ppm"
  Median concentration – 58 ppm"
  Maximum concentration – 406 ppm"

  Another study reported 25% (122 of 486)
pools had more than 100 ppm"
""

CYANURIC ACID (CY)
"
  Latest information suggests optimal range for
cyanuric acid is 30 - 50 ppm"
  Levels above 50 ppm have been shown to
reduce chlorine effectiveness"
  In USA Health Departments will close pools
above 100 ppm (Florida recommends 60PPM) "
  When CY is used, maintain chlorine above
1PPM and preferably above 2ppm"
  To reduce cyanuric acid levels, partially drain
pool & reﬁll "

CYANURIC ACID 
"

  Photometric (1PPM)"
  Visual using black dot comparator
(over 20PPM)"
  Test Strip (over 50PPM)"

OTHER COMMON WATER
QUALITY PARAMETERS AND
TREATMENT SOLUTIONS "

BROMINE"

  Bromine is a chemical relative of Chlorine
  Used more commonly in spas more stable at high
temperatures.
  Bromine is combined with ammonia as bromamine it is still
an effective sanitizer and not irritating to the eyes and skin
of spa users.
  Bromine and bromamine are measured together as Total
Bromine.
  More expensive than chlorine and can’t be stabilized by
cyanuric acid causing it to be rapidly dissipated by the sun.
  Bromine is always used in tablet form
  Bromine as a sanitation agent can't be switched over to
chlorine without completely draining and replacing the
water..

BROMINE
CHEMISTRY
  Bromine's effectiveness dependent on the water's pH
  Bromine breaks down in water forming Hypobromous
Acid (HOBr) and Hypobromite Ion (OBr -), the ratio of
the two being pH-dependent
  HOBr has much use as an anti-algae agent. With a
high pH, more of the OBr - is present
  Recommended pH levels are the same for bromine
as for chlorine

BROMINE
TESTING
  Test Frequency: Daily / multiple times depending on
bather load
  Ideal levels 2.0-4.0 ppm in a residential spa
4.0-6.0 ppm in a public spa
  Advantages:
  Safe and easily handled
  Good sanitizer with no odor or irritation
  Bromine efficiency is less dependent on pH
  Disadvantages
  More expensive than chlorine
  Acidic; destroys total alkalinity
  No stabilizer available (not recommended in Sun)

BIGUANIDES

  Biguanides are unique for the pool market
  The term refers to a disinfectant polymer
polyhexamethyline biguanicide (PHMB).
  It is an effective sanitizer but not an oxidizer
  Hydrogen peroxide must be applied as a monthly shock
  Ammonium-based supplement is needed weekly.
  PHMB concentrations need to be kept between 30 and
50 ppm and require a special test kit.
  PHMB cannot be mixed with chlorine or any other
chemicals except those used as part of the package.
The result of doing so would be brown water and plaster
stains

BIGUANIDE TESTING
  Test Frequency: Once per week or before swimming
  Ideal levels: Concentration must be kept between 30 – 50 ppm
  Advantages:
  Useful in case of chlorine allergies
  Less chemical smell
  Easy on eyes and skin
  Stable in sunlight
  Less frequent testing and treatment
  Costlier than chlorine OR bromine
  May clog filters
  Not compatible with most pool maintenance chemicals
  Not approved for commercial pools

COMMERCIAL CHLORINE
GENERATOR
  Device that produces chlorine from a mixture of salt and water
(brine) through electrolysis
  Sometimes referred to as “salt generators”
  Chlorine used is produced through the electrolysis of brine
  Electrolysis uses two electrically-charged electrodes:
1.  Anode (positively-charged)
2.  Cathode (negatively-charged)
  Electrolyzing salt, the electrodes are contained in different
chambers because the result is chlorine gas and caustic soda,
also known as lye, which should not be allowed to mix
  The chambers are separated by a special membrane allowing
sodium ions and electricity to pass through it, but not chloride
ions or water.

COMMERCIAL CHLORINE
GENERATOR
  Generator converts:120 or 240 volts AC to 4 or 6 volts DC
  Residential pool unit requires about 20 amps
  Electric current passing through the membrane from positive to
negative splits the NaCl into chlorine gas and sodium
  Electric current carries sodium ions through the membrane to
the cathode chamber where it reacts with water to produce
caustic soda and hydrogen gas
  The hydrogen gas bubbles are vented off into the air
  The chlorine gas in the anode chamber passes through a tube
into the pool water
  By-product of this process is a small amount of hydrochloric acid

COMMERCIAL CHLORINE
GENERATOR
  Anode chamber must periodically be refilled with water and salt
  The caustic soda can be re-used for adjusting the pool's pH
balance
  A typical chlorine generator designed for a 25,000 – 30,000
gallon pool requires 45-50 pounds of salt, which must be
replenished 2-4 times per year.
  A similar unit can generate Bromine by using Sodium Bromide
instead of Sodium Chloride as a generating source
  Since chlorine and bromine generators produce water sanitizers
continuously during operation, it is less necessary for chemicals
to be added to the pool or spa water
  Water must still be tested for sanitizer levels
  Equipment is expensive to buy and install.
  In addition to regular testing, chlorine or bromine generators
require salt level determination (Chloride or Bromide)

SALT TEST KITS (resolution)

  Photometric with SALT reagent (10 PPM)
  TDS meters with Salt Algorithm (10 PPM) can be
used but at least annually verify level with
Photometric or alternative method
  Salt Test Strips (500 or 1000 PPM)

OZONE GENERATION
  Ozone is negatively-charged oxygen atoms
  Occurs naturally in the atmosphere, through the action of
lightning
  Non-toxic
  Useful water purifier, used for decades in municipal water
systems
  Reduces the amount of chemicals needed to combat algae and
bacteria
  Ozone has no effect on the pH balance, alkalinity or TDS of the
pool water, but it does NOT eliminate the use of chlorine
  Breaks down immediately on contact with water-borne
contaminants, but does not combat algae formation on pool and
spa walls

OZONE GENERATION
  Can reduce the use of biocides and algaecides in a
pool, it is not a complete solution
  Ozone generation involves the use of an ultraviolet
(UV) or Corona Discharge (CD) unit which converts
Oxygen (O2) to Ozone (O3)
  Advantages:
  Reduces the use of sanitizing chemicals
  No effect on water balance
  Disadvantages:
  Ineffective against algae
  High installation expense

IONIZATION OF
COPPER AND SILVER
  Ionization is used for sanitation and has no effect on pH balance,
alkalinity or TDS
  Copper ions destroy algae; silver ions have a static effect on
bacteria
  Ionizers use electricity to generate metal ions in the pool water
  Voltage generates positive ions
  Typical location of the electrodes is in an “ion chamber” located in
line between the pump and filter
  A control box varies the low-voltage DC charge (12-36 volts, .5-1
amp) to the electrodes that regulates the concentration of ions.
  One system may use only copper electrodes; another system may
use a copper and a silver electrode which produce both copper and
silver ions

IONIZATION OF
COPPER AND SILVER
  Excess copper ions in the water can cause staining
  Copper level in the range of 0.15-0.2 ppm is recommended
  The ion level is adjusted by changing the current flow across the electrodes,
using a manual dial on the control unit
  Ionization is not sufficient for complete sanitation of the pool water but can
reduce the need of chemicals
  Ionization manufacturers recommend weekly additions of an oxidizer (like
potassium peroxymonosulfate) to remove organic contaminants and assist
in combating algae
  Advantages:
  Can reduce use of sanitizing chemicals
  No effect on water balance
  Copper ions cause staining
  High installation cost

COPPER
TESTING

  Small concentrations of copper in the water can be beneficial as a
biocide
  Excess copper causes staining that can be very difficult to remove
  Testing for the presence of copper can provide early warning of
plumbing erosion or corrosion
  If pool surfaces are being stained green or blue-green, or if bathers
are complaining of green hair or blue fingernails, the water usually
contains excess copper.
  Copper concentrations can be tested with a visual photometric test,
a liquid test, test strip, or photometer with Cu reagent

IRON

  Iron in the pool water can be a source of black or red
stains on pool surfaces
  Above 0.1 ppm will cause the water to have a bad taste
  Secondary drinking water regulation by the USEPA is set
at 0.3 ppm (more of an esthetic than health issue)

WHAT IS IRON?

  Iron is one of the most commonplace elements
on Earth. Second most abundant metal (after
aluminum) and fourth most abundant element.
  Iron has the chemical symbol “Fe”
  Because iron is very reactive, it does not exist on
its own
  Iron is so common in the earth’s crust that at
least a trace is found in almost everything
  Used in medicine

IRON BECOMES AN ION

  Fe → Fe+2 (Ferrous) + 2 electrons
  Fe → Fe+3 (Ferric) + 3 electrons
  Fe+2 + Cl2 → FeCl2 (Ferrous Chloride)
  2Fe+3 + Cl2 → 2Fe2Cl3 (Ferric Chloride)
  4Fe+3 + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3 (Iron Oxide)

HOW IRON GETS IN THE WATER
  Make-up water drawn
from a well
  If a metal component that
contains iron begins to
rust it releases iron into
the pool water

IRON REMOVAL

  Chelating or Sequestering Agents work best

  They prevent any iron coating on the pool walls

IRON TESTING(resolution)

Photometric test meter with FE reagent (0.01PPM)

Visual colorimetric comparator (0.3PPM)

Iron Test Strips (0.3 PPM or greater)

HOW AN IRON TEST WORKS

  Iron testing most frequently uses TPTZ powder pillows,
test strips, or tablets containing in one unit, reducing
agents, buffer and TPTZ indicator
Ferric iron + reducing agent = ferrous iron
TPTZ + ferrous iron = blue color
  There is an inherent flaw in this test methodology.
Turbidity issues (and most iron samples have turbidity)
are addressed by adding an optional step, which is often
ignored
  This step, when ignored, can result in false low
readings.

PHOSPHATE
  Phosphorus is about 0.12% in the earth’s crust
  Human bones and teeth contain a large amount of
calcium phosphate
  Muscle, nerves and brains of animals, contain complex
organic compounds of phosphorus, which are formed
from vegetable matter
  Red phosphorus is used for pyrotechnics and for the
manufacture of safety matches and fertilizers
  Phosphate is an essential nutrient for algae growth

PHOSPHATE
BECOMES AN ION
  P → P+5 + 5 electrons
  4P + 5O2 → 2P2O5
  P2O5 + 3H2O → 2H3PO4
(phosphoric acid)
  H3PO4 + H2O → H3O+ + H2PO4–
(dihydrogen phosphate)
  Ca(H2PO4)2 Calcium Dihydrogen Phosphate is known as
“Super Phosphate of Lime” and used as a fertilizer

HOW PHOSPHATE GETS
IN WATER
  Runoff from lawns
  Rain water
  Bathers (sweat and urine)
  Pool treatment chemicals
  Blown in leaves and
debris (soil and rock)

CONTROL ALGAE BY
CONTROLLING PHOSPHATE
  Pool water should be regularly refreshed with a
fraction of new make-up water daily or weekly.
  Increase swimming pool chlorine level.
  “Flock” the phosphate with a phosphate flock
salt and vacuum.

ANOTHER WAY TO CONTROL
ALGAE GROWTH
  In Florida, Catfish are used to eat the algae in
abandoned pools

SALTS THAT REMOVE
PHOSPHATES
  Iron salts (undesirable in pools)
Used by municipal water and wastewater plants.
Very effective in removing phosphate.
HPO4-2 + Fe+3 → FePO4↓ + H+
  Aluminum salts (inexpensive)
Effective for levels above 1000 ppb.
Does not remove phosphate below 100ppb.
HPO4-2 + Al+3 → AlPO4↓ + H+
  Lanthanum salts (expensive)
Effective for maintaining low levels of phosphate.
Easier to use and apply than Aluminum salts.
Can drop phosphate levels below 100 ppb.
HPO4-2 + La+3 → LaPO4↓ + H+

LATHANUM SALTS
(chloride & sulfate)
  Form a water insoluble Lanthanum Phosphate
precipitate
  Easily removed by the pool filter media
  In high concentrations, salts will not cause
cloudy water or staining of the pool

HOW TO KEEP POOLS
PHOSPHATE FREE
  Avoid lawn/garden run-off from entering the pool
  Remove leaves promptly
  Keep phosphate below 100 PPB
  Test the make-up water for phosphate
  Test the pool water phosphate levels regularly
  Preferred photometric test uses molybdate
reaction with phosphate in mild acid solution to
form molybdophosphoric acid
or heteropoly blue complex

PHOSPHATE TESTING
(resolution)

  Digital Photometric with reagent (0.01 PPM or 10 PPB)
  Test Strip with Comparator (0.1 PPM or 100 PPB)

  Ideally keep level below 0.1PPM

  If Chlorine is maintained above 4PPM pool can tolerate
0.5PPM phosphate without algae problem. I do not
advocate this control method

TURBIDITY

  Another word for cloudiness
  Caused by several factors:
1.  Body-waste contamination
2.  Non-organic suspended solids
3.  Algae
4.  Chemical imbalance
  Turbidity is most commonly measured with a “turbidometric” meter
– and is very accurate
  Can also be tested with a photometer (less accurate)

BACTERIA
  Bacteria is a microorganism that
enters pool water through rain, blown-
in contaminants, and bathers
  Chlorine is introduced into a pool it
breaks down into hypochlorous acid
(HOCL) and hypochlorite ions (OCL-).
Both of these kill bacteria by attacking
the bacterial cell walls and oxidizing
everything inside.
  Bacteria testing requires culturing the
water

18 MINUTE BACTERIA TEST
  Commercial test methods include Immunological test
that can confirm bacteria levels below 1000 colonies per
ml run in 18 minutes
  Reduces liability
  Gives confidence that pool is safe to reopen
  The Quick™ Bacteria Test is an antibody-based rapid
test kit for the presence of bacteria in swimming pools,
spas and rivers, lakes or streams used for swimming.
The Quick™ Bacteria Test detects E.Coli, species of
Salmonella, Shigella, Enterobacter, Kliebsiella, and
many other Coliform and non-Coliform bacteria.

SPA WATER CHEMISTRY"
  Spas differ from pools because: "
1.  Smaller volume of water"
2.  Run at much higher
temperature "
  Bather load (& sanitizer demand)
is much heavier than in a pool"
  Smaller volume means that
organics accumulate much faster,
& demand placed on sanitizer is
much higher"

  Greater sanitizer levels must be
maintained (3-5 ppm for Chlorine,
4-6 ppm for Bromine) & testing
must be carried out much more
frequently – usually every 2 hours
during periods of heavy use"
  Treatment is more demanding,
because adjustments must be
made more frequently, &
measurements must be more
precise "

  Small volume & increased
sanitizer demand means that in
Chlorine spas, Chloramines
accumulate much faster than in a
pool"
  Spas must be drained at regular
intervals if water quality is to be
maintained"
  High temperature (above 100
degrees F) increases Chlorine
reactions & causes rapid
depletion"

  High temperature increase growth
of certain disease-causing
bacteria such as pseudomonas
aerginosa"
  High temperature increase
evaporation, resulting in elevated
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)"
  Maintaining a spa presents unique
challenges"

TESTING  
BEST PRACTICES 
"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Circulate pool water before
collecting sample, or manually stir
water in sample area"
  Rinse sample vial two or three
times with pool water before
sampling"
  Sample water 18 inches below
surface (most important for
Chlorine & Bromine testing)"
"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Do not collect water sample
near return lines"
  Note temperature of water
to be tested (Very cold or
very hot water can affect
photometric tests)"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Perform tests as soon as
possible after collecting
sample (immediate testing
is required for accurate
Free Chlorine results)"
  If collecting samples for
later testing, handle
carefully to avoid
contamination, ﬁll bottle to
capacity, & seal tightly "

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Pay careful attention to
expiration dates on  
reagents & test strips"
  Keep reagent containers
tightly capped & in a cool,
dark place "
  Don't swap/mix the caps on
reagent bottles to avoid
chemical cross contamination"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Where required, measure
volume of water sample to be
tested (Measure the bottom of
sample meniscus, not the top
at ﬁll mark)"
  Don't interchange sample vials
or cells"
  Follow manufacturer’s test
directions carefully"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Add reagents carefully –
make sure the correct
number of drops are
added to sample and
drops are equal & full-
sized"
  Mix reagents with test
samples thoroughly"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Match visual test results
under right conditions:"
1. Proper lighting"
2. Don’t wear
sunglasses"
3. Read colors against
an appropriate
background"
4. Don’t match colors in
bright sunlight"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"
  Record results & maintain those records
for each pool or spa"
  Never add reagents to pool for ﬂash
testing (invalid)"
  Never dispose tested samples/reagents in
the pool"
  Rinse sample test vials and cells well
immediately after testing"

TESTING  
Best Practices
"

  When using a photometer, verify your
results using a Pool Water Standard to
verify photometer, reagents, and operator"
"
  Pool Water Standards can also be used
for verifying titration and comparator
reagents "

eXact Micro 10 Photometer 
USED FOR TESTING POOL WATER  
"
Speciﬁcation:"
  USEPA Compliant* and Health Dept. accepted for Free,
Combined, & Total Chlorine Testing"
  Health Dept accepted for Cyanuric Acid and pH"
  525 nm Wavelength LED Transmission Photometer"
  20 mm cell path length with built in 4 milliliter cell"
  Waterproof, buoyant (ﬂoats)"
  Uses patented reagent strip technology"
  Factory Calibration and accuracy guaranteed for 2 years"
  * Per 4500-Cl G (2012), Standard Methods For Examination Of Water And
Wastewater, DPD Colorimetric Method having transmission in range of 490 to 530nm
with minimum 10 mm cell path length"

BENEFITS 
"

  No cell or test tube to handle"
  Safe and easy-use DPD Strip (delivery device)"
•  The eXact® DPD Strip is stable in hot summer
conditions "
•  individual foil packet(s) available for greater
integrity"

BENEFITS 
"
  No drops to count or colors  
to match"
  Simple EZ-3™ procedure"
  Tolerates 15 ppm FCl without
color loss"
  Quick "
  0.01 PPM resolution "
  Accurate Combined Chlorine
results to really know if pool
needs “SHOCK”"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY FOR
POOLSIDE COMPLIANCE
TESTING"

Step 1 and Step 2!
Rinse out photocell 3
times with pool water"
Fill meter cell to capacity
with pool water"
"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY
FOR POOLSIDE
COMPLIANCE TESTING

Step 3!
Turn meter on and Zero "

"
"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY
FOR POOLSIDE
COMPLIANCE TESTING
Step 4"
Dip DPD-1 Test Strip into sample for
20 seconds with back and forth
motion (Press “READ” button that
begins countdown timer)"

"
"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY
FOR POOLSIDE
COMPLIANCE TESTING

Step 5!

Read chlorine result"
 
 
Free Chlorine = 1.58 ppm"

"
"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY
FOR POOLSIDE
COMPLIANCE TESTING
Step 6!
  Continue the test to determine the Total
Chlorine concentration: Press “ZERO”
and display is 0 and then Press “READ”
button and simultaneously dip eXact® Strip
Micro DPD-3 into the water sample for 20
second count down.  
"
(During the 20 seconds constantly move the strip
back and forth, which releases the Potassium
Iodide reagent from the strip and mixes the
sample)"

NEW DPD METHODOLGY
FOR POOLSIDE
COMPLIANCE TESTING
Step 7!
  At the end of the 20 seconds the meter will display “1”
at which time you remove and discard the strip and the
meter automatically reads and displays the Combined
chlorine concentration of 0.3 1 PPM, and stores the
result in memory.  
"
  Press read again twice to display Total Chlorine value
of 1.89 PPM."

  Discard sample and rinse with water before storage.
This DPD test method is compliant for California
Health Department and US EPA requirements."
 
Free Chlorine = 1.58 PPM"
Combined Chlorine = 0.31 PPM "
and Total Chlorine = 1.89 PPM"
"
"

FAS DPD POOLSIDE TESTING PROCEDURE"
1.  Rinse out cell 3 times with Pool water sample"
3.  Add ﬁve drops of buffer DPD-1 solution "
4.  add ﬁve drops of indicator DPD-2 solution  
(or one scoop of DPD Powder)"
5.  Swirl to mix for a few seconds "
6.  Add one drop of FAS reagent, swirl to mix and observe color"
7.  Add next drop of FAS Reagent, swirl to mix and observe
color (Repeated for a total of 8 drops)!
8.  When pink color disappears Multiple 0.2 by number of drops
you have used to make color disappear This sample has
(0.2 X 8 drops) 1.6 PPM Chlorine "
9.  Add KI reagent and continue titration which required two
drops to give Combined Chlorine level of 0.4 PPM "

TEST USING  
VERIFICATION STANDARDS"

  Ampoule (10 ml of solution) for use to verify your
pool testing procedure"
  Tets that can be verified includes Total Alkalinity,
pH, Calcium Hardness, Copper, Cyanuric Acid,
Iron, Phosphate, Nitrate, Salt, and Sulfate."
  Specifically for eXact® Micro photometer test
verification. No dilution needed, just snap, fill
cell with sample, and run test as you do normally"
  Only confirmation method available for pool
service technicians "

STEP 1"
  Turn on the eXact® Micro 10 Photometer (M10)
and rinse out three times with clean water"

  Break open a Ready Snap™ Method Veriﬁcation
Solution in a safe manner with a paper towel as
shown"

  Don’t use pool side"

STEP 2"
  Take supplied plastic
pipette and squeeze
bulb with finger and
thumb to expel air"

  Dip the pipette tip to the
bottom of ampoule and
release squeezed bulb
slowly to fill pipette"

  Transfer filled pipette
liquid to M10 cell"

STEP 3"
  Discard the ﬁrst liquid
sample followed with a
quick shake of the M10 to
empty the CELL of the
remaining water drops."

  Repeat and ﬁll the CELL to
capacity"

STEP 4"

  Select the MENU for
the test method
procedure you need
veriﬁed (Calcium
Hardness in this example)
and run the EZ-3™
test method"
  Verify the displayed
value result against
the Solution Value
chart (Next Slide)"

STEP 5"
  If your value is within
the acceptable
range, you are
operating the M10
correctly for this
MENU test method."
  If your value is
borderline, review the
Instruction Manual
and the proper
procedure. "

Assigned Values for READY SNAP™ 1 (lot 513) Method Verification Solution:
Menu Parameter Test Desired Acceptable Borderline
Item Value Value Value
AL1* Total Alkalinity 150 ppm 140-160 130-170
PH2* pH 7.4 7.2-7.6 7.1-7.7
CL3 Free Chlorine <0.10 - -
PO4* Phosphate 0.90 ppm 0.70-1.10 0.60-1.20
CA5* Calcium as CaCO3 67 ppm 57-87 47-97
TH5 Total Hardness as CaCO3 130 ppm 110-150 100-160
CH6* Chloride as NaCl (÷2 for M20) 270 ppm 240-300 220-320
CY7* Cyanuric Acid 84 ppm 74-94 64-104
CU8* Copper as Cu+2 0.33 ppm 0.28-0.38 0.23-0.43
NH4 Ammonia <0.05 ppm - -
NO3 Nitrate 21 ppm 18-24 16-26
Mn7 all +2 Metals Mn, Cu, Zn, etc 0.55 ppm - -
Mn7 Manganese 0.08 ppm - -
AL3 Aluminum 0.18 ppm 0.14-0.23 0.12-0.25
CR6 Chromium VI 0.17 ppm 0.13-0.22 0.11-0.23
F Fluoride 0.31 ppm - -
SO4 Sulfate 50 ppm 35-65 30-70
PB2 Lead as Pb+2 82 ppb
TDS Total Dissolved Solids 245 ppm
(504µS) as NaCl
NOTE: Values reflect current concentrations as found at time of manufacture. R060712
*These tests are available as Direct Read Parameters in the M10 Photometer.
Other tests can be performed in M20 or LeadQuick Photometers.
Ready Snap™ 2 Method Verification Solution is available for verification of Ammonia,
Arsenic, Iron, and Manganese.

NEW METHOD USING FIELD
SCANNER 
(Pool Check I - Coming soon)
!

THE FUTURE OF
POOL TESTING   COMING SOON

IS DIGITAL"
WITH

Pool Check® i Digital Test Strip Analyzer
directly reads: Alkalinity, Total Hardness,
Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Cyanuric
Acid and pH 
• Tests three or six parameters in 35
seconds with only one test strip 
• Digital results eliminate visual test strip
color matching  
• Medical technology adapted for pools 
"
COMING SOON
WITH

• Incorporates into pool service software from
App on the Run and RB Control Systems  
• Download results to a computer or phone -
unit stores results with time and date markers 
• Portable and rechargeable"

COMING SOON
WITH

STRIVE FOR BEST RESULTS"
  Customers expect it"
  Health Departments require it"
  Liability issues for bad results"

Any Questions?  
Ivars Jaunakais – Chief Analytical Chemist 
Ivars@sensafe.com www.sensafe.com"

HELPFUL RESOURCES"
  Book: Pool Chlorination Facts by Robert W. Lowry"
  Book: Intermediate Training Manual Part 1-Chemicals by
Robert W. Lowry"
  Book: The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance by Terry
Tamminen"
  Book: The Pool Maintenance Manual by Terry
Tamminen "
  Internet: Florida Health Dept:
http://www.doh.state.ﬂ.us/Environment/water/swim/index.html "

  Internet: CDC http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/ "

Proper pooltesting2012

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