| Every pool differs in water cleaning and disinfection | | | | which provide an analysis through the manufacturer's |
| mechanisms and it is critical to know the type of pool | | | | website or at the pool supply store. If you are |
| surface you have as well as what chemicals are safe | | | | concerned about water balance, you will want to |
| to use for cleaning and testing. Some pools have a | | | | invest in an advanced kit. Basic test kits are usually |
| water purification system that recycles the water | | | | chlorine and pH testers only. You may wish to spend |
| and other types of swimming pool constantly refresh | | | | more for a DPD chlorine kit, which measures free, |
| the water within it. Most public swimming pools use | | | | combined and total chlorine levels. Also important is |
| the method of recirculation to refresh the pools | | | | the ability to test total alkalinity and calcium hardness. |
| water content. There are many contaminants, which | | | | Test strips for these are also available now. These |
| can infect your swimming pool. Some can cause | | | | are "dip & read" strips of paper, that turn into |
| human illness or skin irritations; others can cause | | | | different colors indicating levels of pH, alkalinity and |
| discoloration of the water or unwanted odors but are | | | | chlorine in the pool. Though fairly simple to use, it |
| not harmful to human health. Therefore, it is time to | | | | seems that they may not be quite as accurate. Your |
| use that pool test kit to check levels and water | | | | pool professional can check the water for metal |
| quality in your swimming pool. Use a kit that is simple | | | | presence, and total dissolved solids. |
| to comprehend and follow. If you buy a pool test kit | | | | Benefits of pool test kits are that they are low cost |
| in a pool store or similar, the directions will be inside | | | | and very easy to use. There could be some |
| the box. Pool test kits check your pool water's pH, | | | | drawbacks as well, such as degradation of the OTO |
| total chlorine, total bromine, acid demand, and total | | | | solution that causes inaccurate readings over time, |
| alkalinity. | | | | results may not be reliable quantitatively or the tests |
| How often would one need to test the water? | | | | may lack standardization. However, pool testing to |
| Commercial pools are required to check chlorine levels | | | | ensure proper sanitation, is absolutely critical in |
| every hour and findings recorded and the pH and | | | | minimizing various diseases. All water activity venues |
| chlorine levels at least twice or thrice a week. | | | | must be tested - which means not only public |
| Chlorine should be fed continuously to maintain a | | | | swimming pools but also hot tubs, medical treatment |
| consistent level. Total alkalinity and calcium hardness | | | | pools, spas, whirlpools, and water parks. Evaluating |
| levels tend to fluctuate less, so weekly testing can | | | | these facilities for environmental health compliance |
| be done. Home pools don't need to be checked as | | | | includes checking the circulation, filtration, and water |
| often due to less usage as a community facility. | | | | treatment records; and most importantly, the quality |
| There are other types of kits such as test strips, | | | | of the water. |