successfully being able to monitor ….

successfully being able to monitor how well the disinfectant is working in the water.

ORP measures the water using probes that detect voltage in the water between two probes and gives the readings back to the controller in millivolts (mV). The sensors will detect a positive millivolt charge for oxidizers and negative charge for reducers. Reducers are contaminants from pool users and the environment. ORP measures the quantity of an oxidizer that is needed to maintain the water at the programmed ORP level. The pool tech can program into the controller that they want the millivolt level to be maintained in the water.

The World Health Organization and CDC have determined that a minimum of 650 mV are required for instant inactivation of most pathogens. Thus, this value has become the industry standard for a minimum acceptable ORP value. The Florida public pool code requirement for ORP levels to be maintained by the pool tech is 700850mV. Secondary Disinfection Systems

These systems can pair with chemicals to give microorganisms a double punch Ozone Secondary Disinfection

Ozone is a great choice for disinfection for pool techs as long as they understand it should only be used as a secondary disinfection system. Ozone is a very powerful oxidizer. The term “Oxidizer”, as used by the pool and spa industry, usually means to destroy everything in the water by adding a large dose of chlorine or non-chlorine shock. This shock treatment rids the water of ammonia, perspiration and other organic matter including swimmer wastes. Ozone will oxidize most of them very quickly, including iron and manganese, as well as the bonds of many odor producing contaminants like decaying leaves and grass. Ozone provides better water quality and oxidizes many contaminants that chlorine cannot.

With an ozone system performing the primary oxidizing work in your pool, you will be able to cut way back on the level of chlorine needed. The technology will inject ozone into the pool water as it passes through the equipment for filtration. The FLDOH pool rule only allows ozone disinfection to be used as a secondary disinfectant. This means it has to be used as a back-up, but that chlorine or bromine still has to be the main disinfection system.

Ozone is pH neutral and with less chlorine in the water, there is less fluctuations in pH levels. Ozone excels in killing micro-organisms such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. If the pool tech is only using chlorine as the primary oxidizer/sanitizer, then these waterborne parasites are more resistant. Due to ozone being very unstable and having a short life, chlorine is still needed as the main sanitizer. The small amounts of chlorine also help combat algae growth.

Ultraviolet(UV) Secondary Disinfection

UV secondary disinfection is a another choice the pool tech has to assist the primary disinfection system. UV is a secondary disinfection system to assist the main disinfection system in combating recreational water illnesses such as cryptosporidium and Giadia. Ultraviolet (UV-C) water treatment technology is one technique that has seen increased popularity thanks to its ease of use, reduced chemical consumption, health advantages and environmentally friendly benefits.

UV-C light can improve water and air quality in pool areas. UV-C is an invisible light with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. UV sanitation systems can eliminate chlorine-resistant microorganisms. These systems reproduce UV radiation inside light chambers via powerful lamps, which emit germicidal light that is used to disinfect pool and spa water. Facilities equipped with these systems consume fewer chemicals and allow sanitizers to be more effective. UV-C causes permanent damage to a number of microorganisms almost instantly by disrupting the microorganism’s DNA. Protozoans, viruses and bacteria are then unable to replicate and remain inert. This light, however, works only on water that flows through the chamber. Water in dead zones isn’t treated by the light and the light does not act as a residual, thus the need for the presence of a primary disinfection system. Finally, cloudy water will not allow the germicidal light to disinfect the water, thus another reason why a primary disinfection system is needed that leaves a residual in the water.

Residential UV disinfection system