“Should I Test my Water Weekly?”, is a question that many pool owners ask. Water testing on a weekly basis is important in keeping your swimming pool safe and free of bacteria and viruses for the enjoyment and health of your family. It is most important to ensure that the pH levels and chlorine are correct for swimmer safety.
Pool Test Kits
The different types of kits that are available make testing once a week easy and convenient. The CDC recommends testing even more often. Test kits include:
• Liquid reagent kits
• Test Strips
• Dry reagent kits
• Electronic probes
The test strips are popular and could help you in testing the water weekly. Some even recommend that a pool owner check pH levels two to three times a week. The test strips will turn colors that assess the levels of pH, alkalinity and chlorine in the pool. Using the test strips makes it easy to test weekly and if needed, call Pool Troopers for maintenance of your pool.
What is the Reasoning Behind Weekly Water Testing?
Failing to monitor the quality of the water could lead to such problems as deterioration of the pool materials and equipment. Moreover, water-borne illness and bacteria can harm swimmers. According to the Center for Disease Control, “…in pools with the correct pH and disinfectant levels, chlorine will kill most germs that cause RWIs (Recreational water illnesses) in less than an hour.”
Recreational Water Illnesses
Included in some of the bothersome problems that poor water quality can cause are:
• Ear Infections
• Diarrhea Problems
• Rashes
• Breathing infections
• Chemical Irritation of the eyes and lungs
The combination of chlorine and what comes off of the bodies of swimmers (chloramines) can sometimes be problematic in water quality. Indoor pools can be especially prone to adverse health effects from chloramine formation.
Animals in the Pool
Animals in the water can cause conditions that can contaminate the pool. All organic matter can add to the germs that could come from your family pet who loves swimming. That is why it is important to have a clean pool, evaluated through weekly (or more often) testing.
Pool Accidents
If you have young children swimming in your pool, you may have to deal with a fecal incident. You could call Pool Troopers or follow the cleaning recommended by the CDC. However, the first thing to do is to close the pool to other swimmers or bathers and remove the organic matter to an appropriate garbage receptacle. Then it’s time to super chlorinate.
Healthy Swimming
In addition to routine testing, it is advised that swimmers also follow some rules to keep the water in the pool healthy. Some advice from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for swimmers includes:
• Don’t swim when ill from diarrhea
• Don’t swallow pool water
• Take bathroom breaks often
• Use good hygiene
With these tips and frequent testing of pH levels and chlorine, recreational water illnesses can be avoided.
Water testing is also part of the maintenance provided by Pool Troopers. As the leading pool service in Florida, we can assure you of quality pool chemical service, salt systems and pool cleaning as well as expert pool repair. Since 1952, loyal and satisfied clients have called on us for their swimming pool needs. Browse our website, read our blog and contact us for any questions you may have regarding pool maintenance for a healthy pool that benefits your family and friends.
