Education

Not all water disinfection is created equal

Chlorine is the only globally recognised disinfectant for swimming pool water. It removes potentially lethal, pathogenic organisms and ensures the water is safe to
swim in.

Unfortunately not all water disinfection methods are created equal, and regardless of the method used, a chlorine residual is vital for protection against waterborne pathogens.

Today, there are only two methods for providing a chlorine residual, which are conventional chlorine dosing and inline chlorine generation via electrolysis.

But what is the difference between the two methods and how do they compare?

The main difference between conventional chlorine dosing and inline chlorine generation is how the chlorine is produced, stored and introduced to the pool water.

Inline chlorine generation via electrolysis

In a process known as electrolysis, water passes through an electrolytic cell converting minerals and salts to sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as liquid chlorine). The chlorine
is then distributed directly into the pool water, keeping it clear and bacteria free.

As the chlorine is produced inline and within the water, there is no need to store or handle chlorine meaning safety risks are drastically reduced, amongst other benefits.

Pools disinfected via electrolysis are known as ‘salt-water swimming pools’.

Conventional chlorine dosing

Conventionally, pools disinfected by dosing liquid, granular or gaseous chlorine are known as ‘chlorinated swimming pools’.

The need to store and handle chlorine attracts significant hidden costs and risks. These include Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) compliance, the need for Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), increased staff training, and ongoing water dumping and replenishment.

Then there’s the much greater cost of potential loss of life.

A conventionally chlorinated swimming pool can be a ticking time bomb.

Is your pool a ticking time bomb?

There are many risks associated with conventional chlorine dosing including the storage and handling of chlorine. It’s time to put a stop to it, once and for all.

Potential Weaponisation

Chlorine gas is a hazardous material that can contribute to industrial accidents and/or be used as a potential weapon. The large-scale transportation and storage of chlorine can pose
significant safety threats, especially in densely populated areas.

Health & Safety Hazards

The transportation of dangerous chemicals such as chlorine, is a major public safety concern. The risk of a potential accident, resulting in a chemical spill or leak is high.

Many accidents at swimming pools are also related to chlorine exposure. They can be caused by improper mixing of chemicals and subsequent chlorine off-gassing, leading to
disastrous (or fatal) impacts to humans as well as significant equipment damage.

Perpetual Increases in TDS Level

Liquid chlorine and calcium hypochlorite dosing constantly increases Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and salt levels in pool water.

A high TDS level compromises water quality leading to cloudy water and scale deposits in addition to pool equipment corrosion. It can also cause irritation to swimmers’ skin and eyes.

Maintaining the appropriate TDS level in competition swimming pools is crucial for meeting FINA Certification standards.

Perpetual Increases in Water Hardness

Calcium hypochlorite constantly increases water hardness which then negatively impacts the water chemistry along with swimmers’ comfort levels.

High levels of water hardness can lead to unbalanced and cloudy pool water, scaling, reduced chlorine efficacy, compromised chlorine testing and filter/heater inefficiency.

Wasteful Water Dumping

There is no miracle product to lower the TDS level or water hardness caused by conventional chlorine dosing. The only way is to drain (partially, or completely) and refill the pool. The
financial and environmental costs of water waste are significant.

Embrace the benefits of inline chlorination

Inline chlorine generation via electrolysis is the future of water disinfection. It delivers all the benefits of clean and bacteria free water without the risks associated with conventional chlorine dosing.

Eliminates Potential Weaponisation

Via the process of electrolysis, chlorine is produced onsite and inline using minerals and salts dissolved in pool water. The need for off-site chlorine production, transportation and storage is completely eliminated, along with the associated public safety risks.

Improves Health and Safety

By breaking the cycle of constant chlorine deliveries, storage and handling, health and safety hazards are significantly reduced. There is no direct human contact with chlorine, and therefore no training or PPE required.

Risks associated with chlorine exposure caused by the improper mixing of chemicals or chlorine off-gassing are eliminated. So too are the chances of accidental chlorine inhalation, splashes or burns.

Keeps TDS Level Stable

Inline chlorine generation via electrolysis does not increase salinity or TDS levels, as it converts salts and minerals present in pool water to chlorine.

AIS’ ground-breaking EcoLine® technology has enabled inline chlorine generation even in FINA standard competition pools.

Stabilises Water Hardness

With inline chlorine generation, high calcium hardness is a thing of the past. There is no artificial raising of water hardness via added calcium hypochlorite.

Protects the Earth’s Most Valuable Resource

Inline chlorination results in more stable TDS and water hardness levels. It helps to protect the planet’s most valuable resource, water, by eliminating the need for purposeful and wasteful
water dumping to control water chemistry.

Destroying Chloramines

Inline chlorination via electrolysis helps to improve air and water quality by destroying chloramines.

Chloramines give chlorine a bad name.

While chlorine is globally recognised as an effective and efficient disinfectant, many people confuse chloramines with chlorine.

Chloramines are chemical by-products caused by the reaction of free chlorine with substances such as urine, faeces, sweat, body oil, cosmetics, etc, introduced to pool water by swimmers. AIS calls these Swimmer Introduced Nasties (SIN’s).

Chloramines or combined chlorine causes eye and skin irritation and even respiratory illnesses to pool staff and patrons, as well as undermining the efficacy of free chlorine.

Chloramines, and not free chlorine, are responsible for the distinctive strong “chlorine” odour. If not addressed, chloramines can build up to toxic levels which then contribute to poor air and water quality (particularly in indoor swimming pools).

AIS’ simpler, safer and smarter technology helps to destroy chloramines which is particularly beneficial in indoor swimming pools.

Due to breakpoint chlorination at the electrode, AIS technology helps to keep chemical by-product levels at bay and pool water clean and bacteria free.