While Australia developed the technology in the 1960s, it didn’t become available in the States until the 1980s. Today, saltwater pools account for around 80% of all swimming pools Down Under, and saltwater systems are one of the fastest-growing trends in the swimming pool industry worldwide.
Saltwater pools are an alternative to chlorine pools and require a salt/chlorine generator system to work. They are just as accessible as chlorine pools and both inground, above ground, and existing pools can be converted to use saltwater sanitization. If you are considering building a backyard pool or upgrading your current one, opting for a saltwater system might be a good choice for your project.
Saltwater pools have experienced recent and exponential growth in popularity due to the many benefits they offer. Let’s dive into just a few of them:
Reason 1: Saltwater Pool Water is Luxurious
A common misconception about saltwater pools is that swimming in one will feel much like swimming in the ocean. However, the salinity level of saltwater pools is not even close to the level found in seawater. A saltwater pool, if maintained properly, should only be roughly one-tenth as salty as the ocean. While the water in a saltwater pool might have a slightly salty taste, it’s no harsher than the saline solution for contact lenses or human tears.
This salinity level feels very familiar to the human body, considering it’s more aligned with the natural salinity found in our cells. The feel of swimming in a pool equipped with a saltwater system is much like the smooth feel of a natural body of water, and even after a long session, your skin shouldn’t feel dried out.
Reason 2: Saltwater Pools Chlorinate Water Differently
Saltwater filtration systems feature a salt cell, a component that uses the process of electrolysis to generate a natural form of chlorine directly from the saltwater already in the pool. When the saltwater passes through the salt cell, it produces bacteria-killing chlorine at a molecular level. After some time, this chlorine reverts to salt, and the process repeats.
The benefit of a saltwater system is in its consistency. Since the necessary sanitizer for the water is produced during normal daily operation, you no longer need to worry about remembering to add maintenance chlorine tablets to your pool each week. Saltwater pools, despite their name, are just as chlorinated as other pools. The method of chlorination employed by saltwater systems is what sets them apart.
Traditional pools require regular chemical treatments and chlorine is a large part of the process. Chlorine is an excellent sanitizer, but saltwater pools offer an alternative for those who want it.
Did you know?
People who own saltwater pools still have to test their water, including checking for pH and alkalinity levels every week.
Reason 3: Same Bang for the Buck
Compared to the cost of pools equipped with standard filtration systems, saltwater systems have a higher upfront cost, but you won’t have to stay stocked up on liquid chlorine, chlorine tablets, or shock treatments—all you need is pool salt. If heavy rain dilutes your pool, adding a bag of pool salt, then testing and readjusting your water chemistry, should reset your water conditions to the correct levels. In the long run, the overall investment evens out.
If a new saltwater pool or a saltwater conversion sounds like your ticket to summer fun, take the plunge today and contact your local pool professional to get the process started.
