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Water Quality and Maintenance
GLOSSARY
The following chemical terms are used in this Water Quality and
Maintenance section. Understanding their meaning will help you to
better understand the water maintenance process.
Bromamines:
Compounds formed when bromine combines with
nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines,
bromamines have no pungent odor, and are effective sanitizers.
Bromine:
A halogen sanitizer (in the same chemical family as chlorine).
Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet, or granular form however,
stick and tablet form should NOT be used.
Calcium Hardness:
The amount of dissolved calcium in the spa water.
This should be approximately 50 -150 ppm (
ACE
: 25 – 75 ppm). High
levels of calcium can cause cloudy water and scaling. Low levels can
cause harm to the spa equipment.
Chloramines:
Compounds formed when chlorine combines with
nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause
eye irritation as well as having a strong odor. Unlike bromamines,
chloramines are weaker, slower sanitizers.
Chlorine:
An efficient sanitizing chemical for spas.
WATKINS
WELLNESS
recommends the use of sodium dichlor-type granulated
chlorine. This type is preferred because it is totally soluble and nearly pH
neutral.
Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual:
The amount of chlorine or bromine
remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been satisfied. The
residual is, therefore, the amount of sanitizer which is chemically available to
kill bacteria, viruses and algae.
Corrosion:
The gradual wearing away of metal and plastic spa parts,
usually caused by chemical action. Generally, corrosion is caused by low
pH or by water with levels of TA, CH, pH or sanitizer which are outside the
recommended ranges.
Halogen:
Any one of these five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, and astatine.
MPS:
Monopersulfate is a non-chlorine oxidizer.
Nitric Acid:
The formulation of nitric acid, a highly corrosive chemical,
is a byproduct of the ozone generating process. Nitric acid is produced
in very small quantities and is readily dissolved in the water stream with
ozone.
Oxidizer:
The use of an oxidizing chemical is to prevent the buildup of
contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, minimize combined chlorine
and improve water clarity. See MPS and Ozone.
Ozone:
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which is produced in
nature and artificially by man. Ozone forms no byproducts, oxidizes
chloramines, and will not alter the water’s pH.
pH:
The measure of the spa water’s acidity and alkalinity. The
recommended pH for the spa water is 7.2 to 7.8. Below 7.0 (considered
neutral), the spa water is too acidic and can damage the heating system.
Above 7.8, the water is too alkaline and can result in cloudy water, and
scale formation on the shell and heater.
ppm:
The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement
of chemical concentration in water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per liter).
Reagent:
A chemical material in liquid, powder, or tablet form for use in
chemical testing.
Sanitizer:
Sanitizers are added and maintained at recommended
residuals to protect bathers against pathogenic organisms which can
cause disease and infection in spa water.
Scale:
Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces,
heaters, plumbing lines, and clog filters. Generally, scaling is caused by
mineral content combined with high pH. Additionally, scale forms more
readily at higher water temperatures.
Super-Chlorination:
Also known as “shock treatment.” Super-
Chlorination is a process of adding significant doses of a quick dissolving
sanitizer (“dichlor” is recommended) to oxidize non-filterable organic
waste and to remove chloramines and bromamines.
Total Alkalinity (TA):
The amount of bicarbonates, carbonates, and
hydroxides present in spa water. Proper total alkalinity is important for
pH control. If the TA is too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. If the TA is
too low, the pH will be difficult to hold at the proper level. The desired
range of TA in spa water is 40 to 120 ppm.