Saltwater Pools

Saltwater pools are a very popular option for pool owners. The cost of maintaining a saltwater pool is significantly lower than a pool set up with direct-feed chlorine.

There is a common misconception that saltwater pools do not have chlorine in them. Salt pools should have the same amount of chlorine in them as a chlorine-fed pool. The only difference is how the chlorine is sourced and delivered into the pool.

In saltwater pools, the chlorine is produced from the salt (or sodium chloride) by way of electrolysis, inside a salt cell. A bag of salt is generally much cheaper than liquid chlorine, therefore achieving a cost-effective way of sanitising the pool. Most salt chlorinators will produce chlorine when the salinity level is between 3000 parts per million and 6000 parts per million (to give you an idea of how this compares, the ocean’s salinity is approximately 35000 parts per million). Each chlorinator is different and you must always check your user’s manual for the desired level of salinity for your chlorinator.

Saltwater pools are more reliable than direct chlorine-fed pools. When the chlorine drum is empty on a direct chlorine-fed pool, the water can no longer be sanitised. A saltwater pool, on the other hand, would stop being sanitised if a large amount of water or rain diluted the pool to a level that the salt chlorinator would no longer be able to produce chlorine.

It is always best to have your pool’s salt level tested regularly by a professional, as too much salt can damage your chlorinator.