UV in Swimming Pools
The treatment of swimming pool water by means of UV light effectively reduces the microbial contamination levels as well as the the level of chloramines in the pool. Reducing the level of chloramines in the water, as well as in the air, greatly improves the environment for those swimming.
While ultraviolet light does effectively provide disinfection in swimming pools, it should not be considered a replacement for chlorination in public pools. A properly sized UV system successfully controls chloramines; increases comfort and health for swimmers and staff; eliminates the need for dilution and super chlorination; reduces corrosion and, most importantly, protects against Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
UV in Swimming Pools and Water Parks
Water disinfection is one of the key treatment steps for all types of swimming pools, either public or private.
Chlorine is still the water disinfectant of choice for most public pool operators. However, there is a growing awareness of the negative effects caused by chlorine and its by-products. Chlorine not only reacts with the microorganisms in the water, but also with any type of organic material, thus forming problem by-products like Trihalomethanes and chloramines.
Trihalomethanes (THMs) - Within this group mainly chloroform is formed by the reaction between the disinfectant and organic compounds. THMs can be found in the pool water and in the air above the water. Swimmers are therefore exposed by absorption through the skin, by swallowing, and by inhalation. THMs are suspected to be carcinogenic and asthma causing, as stated by researchers.
Chloramines - Chloramines appear in swimming pools as a result of the reaction between ammonia compounds and chlorine-based disinfectants. Depending on the stage of chemical reaction, they can be in the form of mono-chloramines, di-chloramines, or tri-chloramines. Chloramines are responsible for the so-called "chlorine smell", eye and skin irritations. High levels of chloramines also cause corrosion issues inside the pool enclosure.
UV water purification systems for commercial and municipal pools
Ultraviolet treatment of pool water photo-oxidizes and destroys combined chlorine and other pollutants, giving major improvements to pool environment and water quality, with significantly lower levels of chlorine. UV also provides non-chemical disinfection, giving effective primary control over waterborne bacteria, benefiting commercial and municipal pools.
Spa and hot tub establishments present difficult disinfection problems due to the high bather load and temperature. Alfaa UV provides special high UV dose system for for spas and hot tubs, which utilize specialized high intensity lamps. The spa and hot tub UV water purification systems bring a dramatic improvement in water quality.
Until recently public pool operators have had little choice but to use chlorine disinfection systems, sometimes together with an ozone oxidation process. The UV water purification systems have proved that ultraviolet treatment with low levels of free chlorine has major benefits over any of these traditional methods. Much less chlorine needs to be used to provide bacterial control, so water quality and atmospheric conditions are considerably improved.
The primary UV disinfection process destroys all bacteria passing through the water treatment plant. In particular, and unlike ozone systems, this protects bathers against bacteria in the water filter media re-entering the pool.