The Hazards of High pH in Swimming Pool Water

Maintaining proper pH balance (ideally between 7.2 and 7.8) is crucial for safe and enjoyable swimming. When the pH level climbs too high (becomes too alkaline), several significant hazards arise:

Reduced Disinfectant Effectiveness: Chlorine (or bromine), the primary sanitizer, becomes far less effective at killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and algae in high pH water. This significantly increases the risk of waterborne illnesses spreading among swimmers.

Swimmer Discomfort:

Skin Irritation: Alkaline water can cause skin to feel dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. It can exacerbate conditions like eczema.

Eye Irritation: High pH is a major cause of red, burning, stinging eyes (swimmer's eye), often mistaken for high chlorine levels.

Dry, Brittle Hair: Alkaline water can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it feeling rough and looking dull.

Cloudy Water: High pH promotes the precipitation of dissolved minerals (like calcium carbonate) out of the water. This causes the water to become cloudy or hazy, reducing visibility and making the pool less appealing and potentially unsafe.

Scale Formation: The precipitated minerals form hard, chalky white or gray deposits (scale) on pool surfaces, tiles, pipes, filters, and heater elements. This:

Damages equipment, reducing efficiency and lifespan (especially heaters).

Clogs filters, reducing circulation and filtration effectiveness.

Creates rough surfaces on pool walls and floors.

Is difficult and costly to remove.

Poor Water Quality: The combination of reduced sanitizer power and cloudiness creates an overall unpleasant and potentially unhealthy swimming environment.

Conclusion: High pH in a swimming pool isn't just a minor chemical imbalance. It poses real risks to swimmer health, comfort, and safety, while also damaging pool infrastructure and increasing maintenance costs. Regular testing and prompt adjustment of pH levels are essential preventative measures for any pool owner or operator.