What is the Best Sanitation System for Arizona Pool Owners?

Are you overwhelmed by the myriad of pool sanitation options available in Arizona? Do you wonder which system will ensure the safest and most pristine swimming experience?

Choosing the right pool sanitation system can feel like solving a puzzle without the box. You may be questioning every recommendation you receive, wondering if it’s truly the best choice for your pool or just another sales pitch.

At Shasta Pools we believe in empowering customers with CHOICE.  That means we actively use our test facility to push systems and sanitation options well beyond what the typical pool owner would, so when the dust settles, whatever option is perceived as ideal for each customer, it will meet their expectations and be of the highest quality.

In this article, we’ll break down each system’s pros and cons, helping you make an informed decision. From liquid chlorine to advanced oxygenated nanobubble systems, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

Comparison of Pool Sanitization Options for Arizona Pool Owners

The table below provides a comparison of different pool sanitizing systems based on various criteria, helping you make an informed decision about the best option for your pool.

*”Neutral” equals hard water feel; typical pool

Convenience: This measures how easy a sanitization system is to use and maintain. More convenience means less time and effort on pool maintenance, allowing for more enjoyment.

Health Risks: This assesses the potential health hazards associated with the system. It’s vital for ensuring the safety of family and guests from chemical exposure that can cause irritation or more serious health issues.

Maintenance Requirements: Indicates the ongoing work needed to keep the system effective. Higher maintenance can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, which is a key factor for busy pool owners.

Initial Cost: This is the upfront expense for purchasing and installing the system. Understanding this helps in budgeting and making informed financial decisions.

Effectiveness: Measures how well the system sanitizes the pool, keeping it free from contaminants like bacteria and algae. Effective systems are crucial for clean and safe water.

Additional Chemicals Required: Some systems need supplementary chemicals to function. Knowing this helps understand ongoing costs and potential extra maintenance.

Water Feel: Describes the texture and quality of the water. Softer water is preferred as it feels more comfortable on the skin and eyes, enhancing the swimming experience.

Longevity of System: Indicates how long the system lasts before needing significant repairs or replacement. Longer-lasting systems offer better value and reliability.

Liquid Chlorine: Benefits and Risks

Sodium Hypochlorite, commonly known as “Liquid Chlorine” or “Chlorine Bleach,” is a widely used sanitizer. It’s easy to use, readily available, and reasonably priced, making it a convenient option for “shocking” pools. Liquid chlorine effectively eliminates algae and bacteria from pool water. However, it is considered hazardous. According to the CDC, exposure to sodium hypochlorite can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tract. High levels of exposure can result in severe, corrosive damage and can be fatal. High levels of chlorine can be quantified as anything more than 4 ppm (parts per million). Additionally, it can discolor hair and clothes, and it significantly raises a pool’s pH, necessitating additional acid to maintain balance.

Moreover, liquid chlorine is not stabilized, meaning it evaporates faster than water and loses half its sanitizing power in less than an hour. This makes it more labor-intensive as you need to continuously add it to keep the pool sanitized.  The typical cost for a gallon of liquid chlorine can be anywhere from $12 to $27.

Chlorine Tablets: Convenience and Health Concerns

Chlorine tablets offer a convenient and well-known solution for pool sanitation. They slowly release chlorine into the water over time and can be placed in a floating dispenser or a built-in canister. However, like liquid chlorine, they can have negative health effects, especially since they require physical handling.

Chlorine: Exposure, Decontamination, Treatment | Chemical Emergencies | CDC

Typical chlorine tablets contain cyanuric acid (CYA), a stabilizer that, if not properly managed, can have severe health ramifications such as kidney failure and thyroid damage.

Excessive CYA levels require a complete pool drain, which is not cost-effective. Most pool sanitation solutions will require CYA to maintain the pool water’s pH between 7.2 and 7.6.

CDC Advises Against Spa Products With CYA (angiespools.com)

Salt Chlorine Generators: Myths and Realities

Salt chlorine generators use salt to produce chlorine through electrolysis. Contrary to common belief, salt systems generate chlorine just like traditional methods. Unlike chlorine tablets, the chlorine produced by salt systems does not contain cyanuric acid, requiring additional CYA to stabilize it.

Salt systems give the perception of the water having a softer feel but salt is the real reason why the water feels this way as it is a nice balance to the salinity in our skin. These systems do require maintenance and cleaning to function at their most efficient.

The initial installation cost is higher than a traditional chlorine tablet canister, and salt cells have a limited lifespan, varying from a couple of years to over five years, depending on the consistency and thoroughness of how it was maintained.

Traditional Ozone Systems: Efficiency and Maintenance

Ozone systems sanitize pool water by oxidizing contaminants using ozone gas (O3). Traditional ozone systems use ambient air, which contains about 20% oxygen, to produce ozone gas. This gas is injected into the pool water at the equipment area.

While effective at killing bacteria, ozone dissipates quickly in water, necessitating constant equipment operation for reasonable sanitation.

Ozone systems require maintenance to replace generator parts and are best used in conjunction with chlorine or UV systems to reduce chlorine usage but not eliminate it entirely.

Oxygenated Nanobubble Systems – Oxygenated Pool

Oxygenated nanobubble sanitation systems use pure oxygen to sanitize pool water without chlorine. These systems eliminate bacteria, algae, and viruses, offering a soft water and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pool chemicals. It is important to note there will be occasional dosing of natural minerals to the pool water to reduce phosphates (i.e. – algae food). The system combines two established sciences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and nanobubbles.

Nanobubbles, 0.2 microns in size, fully envelope and oxidize microorganisms in the pool. With minimal maintenance and no negative chemical effects, oxygenated nanobubble systems provide a superior swimming experience.

Oxygenated pool systems represent the highest initial investment but offer health and wellness benefits similar to the health benefits of HBOT.

6 Reasons Top Athletes Use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (hyperbaricmedicalsolutions.com)

Ultraviolet (UV) Systems: An Additional Layer of Protection

UV systems use ultraviolet light to disinfect pool water by preventing viruses and other microorganisms from replicating. When pool water passes by the UV lamp, the light “scrambles” the RNA of viruses, preventing replication.

While UV systems are effective at neutralizing bacteria and viruses, they do not eliminate all contaminants and require additional chemical treatments. Regular bulb cleaning and replacement are necessary to maintain performance. UV systems are best used as an addition to other sanitizing methods.

What pool sanitation system is right for you?

Choosing the right sanitation system for your Arizona pool is crucial for maintaining a safe and pristine swimming environment. Each system has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on your needs and lifestyle. If you want to swim in chlorine-free water with minimal chemical use and enjoy the softest water possible, the Oxygenated Nanobubble system is ideal, despite its high initial cost. If you prefer a more budget-friendly option and don’t mind handling chlorine, combining a traditional ozone system with chlorine tablets is a good choice. Avoid salt systems if you believe they are a chlorine alternative; choose them for their convenience in producing chlorine and the soft water feel.

For more information or personalized advice, call Shasta Pools at 602-532-3800 or visit our website at shastapools.com.