The chemical equilibrium of the water
The water of the spa will be clean and clear if its chemical components are in equilibrium.
1. pH-value:
The first important indicator is the pH value of the water. pH is measured in a scale
between 0-14 where 7 is the neutral value. Below this level the water is acidic, above it
is alkaline. The pH value of the human eye is around 7.5, below 7.2 and above 7.8 the
water will sting the eyes of the bather. Experiences have shown that most problems are
caused by a too high pH value. An improper value reduces the effect of the disinfectant.
2. Water hardness:
Water hardness is determined by the quantity of calcium and magnesium salts dissolved
in the water.
Hard waters contain too much of these dissolved salts and thus, left alone, scale will
form. Scales can cause significant damage both to the walls of the spa, to the piping,
filter and to the heating and engineering units. In Hungary waters are medium hard.
Water hardness cannot be reduced by the addition of chemicals, but the formation of
scales can be prevented.
3. Disinfection:
Disinfectant is the chemical that eliminates or neutralises the microorganisms (bacte-
ria, algae, fungi, viruses) present in the water. Microorganisms are small, microscopic
organisms, which cannot be detected with the naked eye and are continuously getting
into the water through rain, wind and the body of the bathers. If they are not eliminated
they pass from one person to the other through the water (and may cause sickness,
infection). Organic matter turns the water of the spa opaque and cloudy. Most often – as
we are dealing with warm water spas – bromine or active oxygen is used.
4. Frothing:
Froth is the smaller-bigger agglomeration of the bubbles and colloid contaminants
found on the surface of the water. It is mostly caused by the mixing of the dirt, cosmet-
ics, body care lotions, etc. that soak out of the human skin and the chemicals. It endan-
gers the conservation of the aesthetic appearance and cleanliness of the water.
5. Water analysers:
There are several different types of water analysers, which are mostly used to measure
chemical and disinfectant effect. Chemical (pH); Disinfectant (Br, O
3
)
Tester types:
- Box containing tablets and graduated measuring glass.
- Litmus paper indicators in a box.
Chemicals should always be loaded into the filter housing.
Then proper disinfection of the spa balance, if the chemical levels are not at least 48 hours
below the specified value.
Even with the most accurate disinfection after 2-3 months, the water quality is no longer
maintain and necessary replace the full water quantity.
Then proposed a large swimming pool, shock-like disinfection.
