INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Water Quality Management

of Swimming Pools
Prof. Rajendrakumar V. Saraf
INTRODUCTION
A growing number of people throughout the world use Swimming pools. India is no exception.
Exponentially increasing population, changing lifestyles, rising health consciousness and
better incomes have given rise to a large swimming pool industry. These days swimming
pools are nding a place in:

Residences (Single homes/ Apartments/ Villas/ Townships)

Educational institutions
Sports complexes
Spas
Water Parks
Special pools for physically challenged
Pools for Animals(Equine/ Dolphin)
Diving pools

to name a few.
Consequent to unchecked pollution, natural water bodies such as Village ponds, Lakes and
Rivers are fast losing their appeal as places where one could swim safely. As a result even
farmhouses with natural water bodies in them tend to have modern swimming pools these
days as a common feature.

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

A swimming pool is no longer just a piece of
architecture. It involves various techniques and
requires a multi-disciplinary approach for a
comprehensive design. There are many ways of
designing a swimming pool and the Pool industry
offers many schemes to meet most situations for
the investors benet. Swimming pool designers,
contractors and operators have preferences or
prejudices for one system or another. While
aesthetics and pool sizing can be dependent on
individual requirements, site characteristics and
economics; safety considerations will have to be
of the highest priority without any compromises.
A Swimming Pool is either rectangular or of any
free shape. Free shape tanks are generally used
for resort and leisure pool complexes. Generally,
rectangular tanks are preferred for learners and
purposes of competitions.
A tank is normally constructed in either RCC or
brickwork. After water proong, glazed ceramic
tiles or glass tiles are xed on the inner surface of
the tank.
Dimension of pool
The dimensions for the pool are based on the
Cage of Safety for the appropriate category of
diving. The Cage of Safety is a body of water
within the pool into which it is safe to dive from
the deck or the diving board. The prole of a pool
may be of any shape or size provided it contains
minimum dimension of the Cage of Safety. Basic
requirements for pool dimensions depend on its
type and usage.
WATER IN SWIMMING POOL
Water is the most important part of a swimming
pool. Earlier practice was to fill it with fresh
water and use until such time the water was
visibly dirty. The pool was then drained and
refilled with fresh water. Each swimmer
entering the pool contaminates water with
microbes, inorganic and organic compounds,
sweat, saliva, perspiration, cosmetics, and
excretory products of the body. Further, dust,
leaves and flowers from the surrounding
environment pollute pool water. This makes
water unsafe and turbid, as it promotes
microbial and algal growth rapidly. Infection
of many water borne diseases due to water
contamination in poorly operated swimming
pool cannot be ruled out. Since the entire body

of the swimmer comes in contact with water,

water quality in the swimming pool is most
important from the health aspect and has to be
considered during designing and installing of
the swimming pool. Consequently, filtration
systems with recirculation were introduced
to continue using the same water for longer
periods. Water in a pool is filtered, disinfected,
and recycled to accepted pool water standards.
Only make up water is added to compensate
water loss due to evaporation, suction sweeping
of pool and backwashing of filter.
Therefore, it is essential to have an efcient
design of water circulation, and treatment system
incorporating disinfection of water.
WATER CIRCULATION IN POOL
Contaminated water along with floating scum
and solids overflows from the pool and is led to
the filtration system. There are different types
of overflow systems. Water is also drawn from
the bottom of the pool at the deepest point.
Overflow of the water plays an important
role in maintaining water quality in the pool.
Some of the typical overflows from the pool are
shown in Figure-1. Overflowing water from the
pool either goes to the balancing tank or to the
bucket strainer. Leaves and hair are trapped
in the strainer. Water from balancing tank or
strainer is pumped to the Pressure Sand Filter.
Suspended solids and turbidity are removed
in the filter. Filtered water is disinfected and
returned to the pool. Fully treated water enters
the pool through the nozzles at bottom or in
sidewalls. Inlet and outlet of water in the pool
are to be designed to ensure that the filtered
disinfected water replaces water at any corner
in a designed turnover time. Typical water
filtration and circulation system for water are
shown in Figure-2.

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Turnover Time
Pool becomes polluted at different rates
depending on the usage and swimmers.
Generally, water becomes turbid very fast at
shallow depth because more people wash off
more dirt in less amount of water. An old and
practical guide to decide the capacity of the
filter is to reduce one hour from the pools
turnover time for each foot depth of water.
Now, turnover time is decided on the basis of
dust loading. It varies from 10 hour for very
light loading in deep water to 10 minutes for
extreme loading to beach shallow all within
the same pool. To maintain the desired quality
of water in the pool, total volume of water in
the pool shall be passed through the filter and
circulated in given time called as turnover time.
It is defined as below:
Total Volume of Water
in Pool (cu.m.)
Turnover time (hr) = ---------------------------------Filtration Rate cu.m./hr
Selection of the correct turnover time for the
pool will guarantee the design, water clarity

and quality even at peak bathing loads. General

recommended turnover time in hours for different
pools is as below:

Paddling or intensive learner, shallow pools

Teaching & Play pools
Public & Hotels with intensive use
School, Olympic/International Competition
Community
Clubs and Private intensive usage
Residential pool
Diving Deep side, light & private usage

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Filtration System
The lter deals with particulate matter. It strains
out suspended solids to sub-micron size to
maintain clarity of water. It neither removes
dissolved solids nor deals with micro-organisms.
Filtration combined with disinfection keeps
water:

Clear and non-toxic

Odourless and tasteless
Free of bacteria and algae
Balanced to prevent corrosion and scale
formation

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

The working capacity of a lter is the amount
of dirt it can hold without blocking or passing
more than, say 10-micron size particle in a given
time. The rate of ltration is the ow of water
that passes through the lter to achieve specied
degree of clarication in a given turnover time.
Due consideration shall be given to the following
factors that inuence ltration such as:

High bathing loads

Heating of pool water
Covering the pool
Blown algae and dust falling on the surface of pool
Mineral found in water itself

Generally, pressure sand lters of medium (25

cu.m./sq.m./hr) and high (50 cu.m./sq.m./
hr) loading rate are used. Other lters, such
as Cartridge lter, Pre-coat lter and Vacuum
Diatomaceous lter are also used. Various
swimming pool lter manufacturers claim the
ltration rate for their lter models. However, it
is commonly observed that these rates are not on
realistic grounds, therefore causes malfunctioning
of the pool system.

Other Pool Cleaning Equipments

Once heavy dust and the dead algae settle down
on the bottom of the pool, it cannot be removed
by ltration. Therefore, a device called as
Suction Sweeper is used. It has a Suction Head
provided with a brush and a Vacuum/Suction
Hose. The Suction Sweeper pumps water along
with dust out of the pool. Water is either wasted
or recycled to the lter. Nylon brushes are also
used to clean and scrub off the algal growth on
the tiles.
DISINFECTION
Once a swimmer enters the pool, his/her entire
body gets in contact with pool water. Therefore,
pool water must be as good as, if not better than
the water we drink. It has to be clearer than
drinking water and should have a palatable
disinfectant. Water shall always stay fresh even
though every swimmer is adding contaminants
repeatedly and adding to bacterial pollution.
Each bather can introduce about 600 million
microbes at first plunge. Followings are
essential requirements for disinfectant for the
pool:

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Action of Chlorine as disinfectant
When chlorine is added to pool water, the following
reactions take place:
Neutralises the pollutants present in the pool
water
Reacts with sunlight, heat and agitation
Combines with nitrogenous impurities to form
chloramines (Combined Chlorine)
Remains as residual chlorine for disinfection
and algae control over a design period.

Shall be potent enough to destroy microorganisms rapidly to prevent transmission

from one swimmer to another
Adequate disinfectant residual in the water at
all times
Shall be nontoxic to swimmer without any toxic
byproducts
Shall not contribute bad taste/odour
Shall not accumulate in pool to reach to the
harmful level
A satisfactory disinfection system with efcient
ltration stops infection; prevents algae formation;
eliminates taste and odours; controls scaling and
corrosion in water; makes water crystal clear; gives
sparkling appearance; and keeps the pool always
safe for the swimmer. Different disinfectant
products and systems are available in the market
and can be categorized as below:

Chlorine gas and chlorine compounds

Halogen other than chlorine
Ozonization
Metal ion generators
Alternative disinfection systems and chemicals

1. Chlorination
Chlorine can be introduced to swimming pool
water by the use of the following:

Chlorine Gas
Sodium Hypochlorite solution
Calcium Hypochlorite powder
Lithium Hypochlorite granules/tablets
Chloroisocyanurate granules/tablets
Electrolytic Hypochlorite generators

The Residual Chlorine in water can be measured as

free, combined and total chlorine. It plays a major
role in eliminating the chances of transmitting
infection to fellow swimmer. Free Chlorine is
a strong disinfectant, almost odourless and
immediately kills micro-organisms. Combined
Chlorine is a poor disinfectant, has pungent smell
and causes irritation to eyes and takes few hours
to act. As guidelines, Free Residual Chlorine
should be three times more than the Combined
Residual Chlorine. It ensures immediate action
and a long-lasting action for safe water. It also
overcomes eye irritation, odour and algal growth.
The practice of break point or super-chlorination
to the level of 5 mg/l, Residual Chlorine destroys
chloramines and reduces the Combined Chlorine
level.
Residual Chlorine exists in water, mainly as
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and less effective
Hypochlorite (OCl) ions. Action of disinfectant
ions depends on the pH level. For example, even
mild acid pH (6.5) will speed up the disinfection
process and also corrosion. Too alkaline pH (more
than 7.5) will nullify compound properties and
increase dosing rates just to deal with ordinary
contamination. Most favourable pH is mild
alkaline (7.1-7.3) above the neutral.
A comparison of three forms of Chlorine i.e.
Chlorine gas, liquid Chlorine and dry Chlorine is
given in the Table-1:
Dry Chlorine - Lithium Hypochlorite
It is granulated bleaching powder, packed in
bags, having 30% available Chlorine and pH
7-8. It is totally soluble in water. It is safe, can be
easily stored and handled, and can be added to
pool directly. It is more expensive and not easily
available in India. It adds 65% of binder to pool
total dissolved solids.

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Table-1 : Comparison of different forms of Chlorine
Details

Chlorine Gas

Liquid Chlorine

Dry Chlorine

Technical Name

Chlorine

Sodium Hypochlorite

Calcium
Hypochlorite

Physical &
chemical
Properties

Green, pungent gas.

2.5 times heavier than air.
pH: Acidic

Liquid
Alkaline. pH:12-13

Dry powder.
pH: 11-12

Storage

Liqueed gas in cylinder

(100 kg). Long shelf life

Liquid stored in cans, short

shelf life

Powder stored in bags. Long

shelf life if packed properly

Available
Chlorine

100%

5 to 10%. Rest is alkali and

water.

30 to 70%. Rest is either

insoluble or soluble Calcium salts

Disinfection
Power

Highly effective

It disperses easily and acts

rapidly

Very effective disinfectant

Feeding Device

Requires failsafe,
sophisticated feeding
(Vacuum Feed/Pressure
Feed) arrangements

By gravity or through simple

dosing pump.
Flow can be immediately
measured and dozing can be
proportionate to water ow.

It is partly soluble in water and

cannot be dozed directly to
pool. As a general practice, it
is dispersed in water and clear
superant is dozed.

Handling/ Risks

Dangerous if not handled

properly. Requires special
storage facilities and stringent precautions. No more
recommended in west on
safety grounds.

Requires careful handling and

highly dangerous if crosscontaminated with acid

Safe to handle. Generates dust

when dry and sludge when
wet. It is a strong oxidizing
agent with potential safety
hazards, highly combustible
with oil, sawdust, organic
materials and solvents, etc.

Manpower

Trained manpower to
handle dozing devices and
emergency situation caused
due to Chlorine leakage

Semi-skilled

Semi-skilled

Additional
chemicals to be
added

Soda ash to maintain

alkalinity

Hydrochloric Acid to adjust pH Hydrochloric Acid to adjust

pH

Side effects

Wet Chlorine is corrosive

for all metals. Lowers pH
of water due to acid formation.
Increases Chloride
level. Burns eyes and skin.
Bleaches costumes if added
in high concentration into
pool water

Increase in pH, total dissolvent, and chlorides. Acid is to

be added to adjust the pH to
neutral. Chloride accumulation
needs careful inspection.

Application

All types of water and pool Medium and smaller pools.

In hard water it causes precipitates and deposits on pool
walls.

Very good for soft water. In

hard water, causes precipitates
and deposits on pool walls.

Cost

Lowest cost per kg of Chlo- Costlier than Chlorine gas, has

rine and disinfectant
overall high performance cost
and requires efcient and guaranteed supply services.

Economical

DECEMBER 2012 19

In hard water, it causes precipitates and deposits on pool

walls and scale formation in
pipelines. It may clog lter,
feeder or cloud hard waters.

INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Chlorocyanurates
Cyanuric acid is used to reduce Chlorine loss
in the outdoor pools. Cyanuric acid shields
decomposition of Hypochlorous Acid from ultraviolet light. It facilitates the presence of chlorine
in water for longer duration. Recommended dozes
are from 25 to 100 PPM maximum. Cyanuric acid
is a powder having pH 3-5. To be effective, a level
of 30-mg/l cyanuric acid should be maintained in
water. Handling of Cyanuric acid is difcult due
to its pungent smell and irritation to eyes. Its use is
not yet popular in India. Cyanuric Acid combines
with Chlorine to form following compounds
called Cyanurates Chlorine.
Sodium dichloroc Stabilized powder or
yanurate & Potassium granules 60% available
dichlorocyanurate
chlorine, pH 6-7,
effective, self stabilizing
disinfectant readily &
completely soluble
Sodium trichlorois-

Stabilized powder
ocyanuric acid or tablet,
90% available chlorine

Chloroisocynurates provide their own Cyanuric

Acid. When these compounds are used as
disinfectants, the level of Cyanuric Acid in the
pool water should not be normally allowed
to exceed 200 mg/l, however in exceptional
circumstances, it may be allowed to rise to
400 mg/l. Pool can be operated with higher
free Chlorine residual (2 mg/l). It should be
increased to at least 2.5 mg/l when Cyanuric
Acid level exceeds 100 mg/l.
Chloroisocynurates are very effective; readily and
completely soluble; and self-stabilizing agents.
They have long storage life; can be conveniently
handled; powerful and ideal in bright sunlight;
also very effective in hard water. There is no
need of a feeding device, as it can be added
directly to the pool. Chloroisocynurates are more
expensive, and slow down kill rate of Chlorine.
Dozing continually raises Cyanuric Acid level.
They are incompatible with any contamination
or any other Chlorine. Further, periodic super
chlorination of pool water is required. Binder
presence can cause algal bloom and slow down
destruction. It is highly susceptible to hazardous
contamination in store. Due to slow action, algae
may grow in the pool.

Electrolytic Chlorination
In the Electrolyzer, current is passed through the
anode and cathode in the salt solution, which is a
good conductor of electricity, thus electrolyzing the
salt solution. This results in Chlorine (Cl) gas being
produced at the anode, while Sodium Hydroxide
(NaOH) and Hydrogen (H2) gas are produced at
the cathode. The Chlorine further reacts with the
Hydroxide to form Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl).
The solution generated has a pH value between
8 to 8.5, and a maximum equivalent Chlorine
concentration of less than 8 g/l. It has very long
shelf life which makes it suitable for storage. Using
onsite Sodium Hypochlorite generator, 4.5 kg of
salt and 4 KWH of power are required to produce
1kg equivalent of chlorine. Hydrogen gas must
be vented suitably and safely to the atmosphere
outside the building. It is most suitable for stable
bathing loads. Electrodes last for 2 to 3 years.
2. Halogens Other than Chlorine
(a) Bromine
Bromine is also a member of the halogen group of
element and its reactions in pool water are almost
similar to that of Chlorine. Both free Bromine as
Hypobromous Acid and the combined forms as
Bromamines are effective bactericides, viricides,
algaecides and oxidizers of organic matter.
Unlike Chlorine and Chloramines, free Bromine
and Bromamine cannot co-exist other than
momentarily so only small combined residual
is necessary for a strong disinfecting property.
Breakpoint reaction with Bromine at pool water
pH levels (7.3-7.8) reaches almost instantaneously
in the presence of even slight excess of Bromine.
Bromination offers faster kill rates and fewer side
effects. Residual remains longer and is dissipated
slower by sunlight. Bromination is very effective
at pH 7.8. A pH adjustment is required but to
a less extent. Bromamines are not as irritating
as chloramines. Even at 1-2 ppm, bromination
odours are not greatly noticeable. Bromine is
an excellent algaecide and a 3-ppm super dose
invariably helps in eliminating algae growth.
Generally, the side effects are not as difcult to
control as for Chlorine. It makes bromination
more economical than chlorine. Besides,
dispensing systems are not under pressure like
Chlorine gas, so liquid bromination is less likely
to be a ventilation hazard. Due to difculty in
availability of liquid and dry Bromine in India,
bromination is not yet practised in India. Liquid
Bromine and Bromochlorodimethylhydantoin

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

tablets in dry form are used for Bromine treatment
of pool water.
Liquid Bromine : Water is bubbled through
Bromine liquid for dozing. Equipment is relatively
economical and simpler to operate. It is nasty to
handle and as obnoxious as Chlorine, similar risk
to operator and bather from dangerous fumes. It
attacks all metal, therefore it is stored in glass, glass
reinforced plastic or plastics fail safe containers.
Dry Bromine Tablet : It is safer and more
convenient but still more expensive and not yet
widely available. Bromine residual in the range of
2-4 mg/l for private pool and 4-6 mg/l for public
pool shall be maintained. Dimethylhydantoin
remains in water after the treatment. The
Department of Environment recommends that the
level of dimethylhydantoin should not exceed 200
mg/l. (1).
(b) Iodine
It is stable and safe to handle, and can be
easily stored. It can be dispensed into pool
water easily and economically. Iodamines are
not formed and algaecide support is required.
Most modern algaecide are incompetent with
iodine, therefore intermittent super chlorination
is necessary. Iodine ion is not an effective
bactericide. It doesnt contribute taste or odour
to pool water and, therefore doesnt cause eye
irritation. However, iodine ion can be converted
into molecular iodine with chlorine and can be
reused for several times.
It attacks most of the metal, but other side
reactions are less than the chlorine. Greenish tint
is noticeable between 2-5 ppm at pH 7.5. Difculty
can be experienced in maintaining the required
and total concentration. Not popularly used in
abroad and not at all in India.
3. Ozone
Ozone gas is manufactured by an expensive
sophisticated system. It is unstable and an
allotropic form of oxygen, where third atom
readily detaches to become a powerful oxidizing
agent. It is 10 to 20 times more powerful than
chlorine to inactivate bacteria, viruses, cysts and
spores, removes colour, taste and smell. It is fast
acting, very effective, non selective and does not
produce unwanted byproducts common with
other oxidants. A slight excess of ozone in pool

water produces a redox potential + 800 V @ pH

7.5 and destroys bacteria within few seconds.
Since ozone has short half-life and decomposes
rapidly, it must be generated at site by the ozone
generators.
Ozone is dozed to the pool either directly to the
circulation system or into small portion of water
passing through a circulation system. Ozonization
of water is without and with deozonization system.
In the rst system, ozone is dozed in such a way
that the level of ozone remaining in the water,
when re-entering the pool, does not exceed 0.05
mg/l. In the second system, 0.8 to 1.0 mg/l ozone
is dosed into the water and a contact period of 1
to 2 minutes is provided. After the contact period,
ozone is completely removed by passing water
through deozonizing medium (activated carbon)
before returning to pool. To ensure residual
disinfectant in pool water, ozone has to be used
in conjunction with chlorine. Normally 0.2 to 0.3
ppm chlorine with marginal hypochlorination is
sufcient because all oxidizable organic matter is
already been oxidized.
Ozone is a dangerous chemical in the air and
highly corrosive to metals. Approximately 1
ppm of ozone induces headache and tightness in

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

the chest. To a more graving situation, 20 ppm
nearly kills. Discharge tubes must be kept efcient
to prevent runaway cost of ozone production.
Ozonator system should include safety alarms
to operate at 0.1 ppm. Continuous dry airow
ensures quick removal of ozone and prevents
any moisture build up in the pools humid
atmosphere. An Ozonator is costly and takes
major share of the pool cost. Further, addition of
deozonization system plus chlorine dozing and
controlling system exaggerates the costing of
ozonator. It is yet to become popular for Indian
swimming pool.
4. Metal Ion Generators
Metal Ion Generators are electrolytic devices
installed into the pool circulation system. These
devices introduce silver and copper ions into the
pool water. Silver and copper ions are known
for bactericidal effect. There are number of such
systems available in the market, which are based
on the same principle, however their design
and practical conditions vary. For example,
certain but not all generators are used with
secondary form of disinfectant such as chlorine.
It makes it difcult to standardize operation of
a metal generator. For Indian pools, secondary
disinfectant is must to counteract heavy organic
load in the pool.
5. Alternative Disinfection Systems & Chemicals
(a) Ultraviolet Light
Ultraviolet light is a potent disinfectant to
ensure 100% sterilization. UV lamps can be
placed with 100 mm of maximum water ow
depth. Also, fast turnover is must. It does not
provide any residual disinfectant and does not
oxidize organic matter in pool. Therefore, it is
to be used only in conjunction with secondary
disinfectant that shall be maintained always at
the desired level. Initial cost of equipment is
high and operation cost is low. It may be suitable
only for small family pool.
(b) Organic Biocides
Organic biocide is a synthetic organic microbiocide
and algaecide, safe and stable; offers long-term
residual, clear, tasteless and non-odourous, nonbleaching and neutral pH. It is incompatible with
chlorine, therefore chlorine is to be removed and
pH is to be adjusted to 7.5 before its application.
Recommended dose varies from 10 to 50 ppm. It
fails to produce crystal clear bright water. Water

may become greenish when pH is not neutral.

They do not have oxidizing properties and
therefore are normally to be used along with an
oxidizing agent.
(c) Chlorine Dioxide
Soluble chlorine dioxide is produced by
automatically drawing solution of sodium chlorite
and hydrochloric acid solution from two different
containers by the following reaction:
5NaClO2+ 4HCl = 4ClO2+ 5NaCl + 2H2O
Often some chlorine is produced. It has no taste,
no smell, offers no eye or skin irritation, can be
easily and safely used. A minimum of 0.1 ppm
residual is required with 0.3 acceptable. A trained
personnel is required to operate.
There are many alternatives tried for disinfection.
However, chlorine and its compounds are used in
most of the swimming pools for its cost, availability
and simplicity.
Algae Control
Algae growth is most undesirable in pool due
to safety risks, aesthetic look and also as it
imparts bad taste and odour to the pool water.
Following are the common forms of algae in the
pool water :
a. Suspended growth - pool water is greenish or
milky and causes chocking of lter that
ultimately needs more backwashing
b. Attached growth on to the wall - making pool
surface slippery and ugly
c. Black algae patches rmly attached to the pool
wall (especially it grows between the joints of
the tiles) as a result of symbiotic relationship of
algae with fungi.
Algae contain chlorophyll and other pigments
to make use of solar energy, and need nitrogen,
carbon hydrogen, oxygen and sunlight for growth
in pool water. Algae spores exist in the air all the
time. A low pH is conducive to algae growth, and
a rising pH indicates that algae are growing fast in
pool. Pool water becomes greenish and clarity of
water diminishes. There are many causes for algal
bloom in pool water; some of them can be listed as
below to understand means of algal control.

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INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

a. Intense sun light and warm weather
b. Poor ltration and longer turnover time
c. Poor water circulation causing dead spots in
the pool where disinfectant level is zero
d. Inadequate disinfectant
e. Addition of nitrogen and organic impurities
by bathers and surrounding environment, and
from chemical compound binders present in
some of the disinfectants
Proper disinfectant level, monitoring pool water
quality, regular backwashing of lter, running
the lter for given turnover time, regular suction
sweeping, cleaning of pool walls and better
hygienic conditions etc., are preventive measures
to avoid algal growth in pool. Intermittent
super-chlorination or addition of oxidizing
agent removes or breaks down nitrogenous and
organic impurities that deny ever present algae
the opportunity to thrive. Shock chlorination
deters quite severe attack however for black algae
it may require large quantity of chlorine and
blocks the lter due to dead organism. Copper
sulphate wipes out algae but causes black stains.
Mercury compounds are active but accumulate
dangerously. Quats are excellent to control but the
dose excess than 50 ppm causes froth and foam
in the pool water. Many synthetic algaecides are
available in the market. However care has to be
taken in the selection of algaecide and its doses
to ensure that there is no adverse and toxicity
effect on the swimmer. It is always better to avoid

usage of these unknown chemicals. Strict control

and vigilance is must to avoid algal growth in the
pool, otherwise in a severe algal bloom, pool is to
be emptied, cleaned and relled again with fresh
water.
Pool Water Quality
Pool water quality is dened by physical,
chemical, bacteriological and biological standards.
Specications of Indian Standards and SPATA for
swimming pool water are given in Table-1. The
maintenance of these standards is very essential
to ensure health and comfort of bathers, and to
minimize the risk to cause damage to the pool
ttings and the equipments. Parameters like pH,
clarity, alkalinity, hardness and desired doses
of disinfectant etc play important role to get the
desired quality of water.
Operation & Maintenance
No matter how beautiful the shape of a pool, the
type of system selected and whether manually or
automatically operated, water quality of a pool
is nally decided by the pool operator. Only a
trained and qualied pool operator shall operate
the pool. However, it is not normally so. Often, the
operator adds chemicals to the pool water without
having understood the chemical characteristics
and the after effects. For example, to control the
algae and to have blue tint to the water, a dose of
copper sulfate to the level of 10 ppm is added to
the pool, which is toxic if ingested.

Table 1 : Quality Standards for Water Quality for Swimming Pool

Sr. No.

Characteristic

IS: 3328-1965 (2)

SPATA 1990 (3)

i)

Ph

7.5 to 8.5

7.2 to 7.8

ii)

Total alkalinity (as CaCO3), mg/l

50 to 500

100 to 200

iii)

Aluminum (as Al), mg/l, Max

0.1

iv)

Total residual chlorine, mg/l

(a) At inlet
(b) At outlet

0.5 Max
0.2 Max

0.5-2.0
(Depends on type of
disinfectant used)

v)

Oxygen absorbed in 4 hour at 27 oC, mg/l, Max

1.0

vi)

Total hardness

50 to 500

Less than 400

> 200/ml
>10/100 ml

>100/ml
Nil

vii)

Sulphate

viii)

Bacteriological
(a) Standard plate count
(b) Coliform organisms, MPN index

ix)

Clarity

Clear & colourless

Deepest part shall be

clearly visible, free from
suspended matter

x)

Odour

Absent

Absent

DECEMBER 2012 23

INDIAN PLUMBING TODAY COVER STORY

Conclusion
Swimming pool is not a simple water tank to be
lled with water. In designing a pool, problems
associated with water must be clearly understood.
A proper water circulation system to eliminate
dead spots in the pool, correct turnover time, right
type of ltration system and the most suitable
disinfectant and its adequate dose, regular
monitoring of water quality can assure sparkling,
crystal clear and safer than drinking water in
swimming pool. The system shall be always userfriendly. The operator should know the preventive
and control measures. IPT
References

1. The Treatment & Quality of Swimming Pool Water,

Department of Environment, National Water Council, U.K.
2. Indian Standards Quality Tolerance for Water For Swimming
Pool, Bureau of Indian

3. SPATA Standards for Swimming Pool Vol. & Vol. 2,

Swimming Pool & Allied Trade Association Ltd, U.K.
4. SPATA Standards for Swimming Pools Water & Chemicals,
Swimming Pool & Allied Trade Association Ltd, U.K.
5. John Daves, Handbook Design & Planning of Swimming
Pool, The Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers, U.K.

Editorial Note: The Indian Plumbing Association (IPA)

and the International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Ofcials India (IAPMO- I) have jointly
published the Uniform Swimming Pool Code India 2011
which may be referred to for additional information on
Swimming Pool Designs.
Prof. R. V. Saraf is the Founder Chairman of Viraj
Envirozing India Pvt. Ltd., a Pune-based company
providing one window solution to environment. He
has done M.Sc. in Biochemistry; AMIE in Chemical
Engineering; and M.Sc. in Environmental Control
Engineering & Resource Utilisation from UK.
He has 40 years of experience with more than 1000 successful projects to his
credit, including 300 swimming pools. He is a Life Fellow of the Institution of
Engineers India and a Life Member of Indian Association of Environmental
Management. He can be contacted at watersgs@vsnl.net

DECEMBER 2012 24