My question involves the regulations and the short-term health effects of swimming in water that contains too much chlorine. The other night, our pool (indoors) measured as follows:
pH: 6.8 - 7.0
Chlorine: 10 ppm
My understanding is that the pH should be in the 7.2 - 7.8 range, and the chlorine should be in the range of 1 ppm - 3 ppm.
My questions are:
1. Is there a safe upper limit for chlorine in a pool?
2. If the pool tests above that limit, should it be closed?
3. What are the short-term health effects of swimming in water
chlorinated to 10 ppm?
Some brief research on my part so far has only shown that our county has an acceptable mininum level (1 ppm), but no guidelines on a maximum level.
The chlorine levels, pH, and total alkalinity all work together in the pool water, and water temperature also plays into it. The calcium hardness also impacts these.
The only way to get rid of high chlorine is to drain some water, other than just not adding any and waiting for it to go down.
How warm is the water? The warmer the water, the more chlorine needed.
In the summer months, I need to add chlorine to my backyard pool at least every week (sometimes 2x), especially when the water temp gets to 95 or higher. Of course now I may add every 2 weeks, since it is in the 60s, and I'm not using it.
Did you test the water yourself? I'm curious how you came up with the measurements. The kit I have is not 100% accurate; I go to a pool store with a water sample for the most accurate tests.
The chlorine levels, pH, and total alkalinity all work together in the pool water, and water temperature also plays into it. The calcium hardness also impacts these.
The only way to get rid of high chlorine is to drain some water, other than just not adding any and waiting for it to go down.
How warm is the water? The warmer the water, the more chlorine needed.
In the summer months, I need to add chlorine to my backyard pool at least every week (sometimes 2x), especially when the water temp gets to 95 or higher. Of course now I may add every 2 weeks, since it is in the 60s, and I'm not using it.
Did you test the water yourself? I'm curious how you came up with the measurements. The kit I have is not 100% accurate; I go to a pool store with a water sample for the most accurate tests.
