THE Swimming Pool Resource Blog

Salt Water Swimming Pools - A Popular Choice

January 22nd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Salt water swimming pools have been growing in popularity over the last 3 - 4 years. It’s reported that they account for approximately 40% of the pool sanitizing systems installed in the US. A saltwater pool has a special generator cell that converts salt to chlorine for the pool’s sanitization. The system is self-regenerating - salt used in the process is returned to the pool after sanitization is complete.

Salt Water Swimming Pools DO Have Chlorine…Water Just Feels Nicer

Many people mistakenly think that a salt water swimming pool does not use chlorine. While it’s true that one doesn’t have to buy chlorine to add to the pool water, the salt water pool is a chlorine sanitization system. Salt is added to the pool water and dissolved. The salt water runs over the special generator cell plates and is converted into chlorine. The converted chlorine sanitizes the water, oxidizing bacteria and algae which is filtered out by your sand or cartridge filter. At the end of the process the chlorine is regenerated back to the pool as salt that can be used again. You save a great deal of money and aggravation by not constantly having to purchase, measure and handle chlorine. And because the salt is recycled into the water, one doesn’t even have to add salt very often. I personally own a salt water pool and I only have to add salt one or two times a year. You’ll add salt as the salinity of the water becomes diluted over time because of rains and having to add water when the pool levels are low. When saline levels are too low, the generators cannot create the needed chlorine. You can easily know when salt is too low because the generators have a digital control panel that constantly monitors salt and chlorine levels and tells you. Fairly idiot-proof. Salt water swimming pools can save their owners as much as 35% per year in chemical operating costs. Total alkalinity and pH seem to be easier to maintain in a saltwater pool; I find that the salt doesn’t radically throw off the water’s chemical balance.

A salt system is initially more expensive than a conventional chlorine system, but you recoup the upfront installation costs in about 4 - 5 years with what you save on chemicals. The technology is becoming more affordable and is considered eco-friendly; so more and more people will likely be buying these systems. Popular salt water chlorine generators include Goldline Aqua Rite (I own this one, pictured at top) and Chloramatic. Goldline is a Hayward company. Hayward makes many fine pool products. There are generators for above ground pools as well as in-ground pools (picture link at left above). The digital control panels for these systems should be installed by a licensed electrician. I love my pool; and overall, I think you’ll be very pleased with this type. If you are thinking about building a swimming pool, consider a salt water swimming pool.