It’s the spirit of competition, the drama, the triumph and heartbreak of witnessing a lifetime of dedication and sacrifice culminating in a span of minutes or even seconds, or in the case of speed-based competitions, in fractions of seconds; and that such moments are viewed globally, whether shared by patrons at a Reykjavik pub, a group of Tibetan highlanders, or perhaps a crowd that collects at a shop window in the Lower East Side of New York City, well, label me an idealist if you wish, but I’m inspired by the idea that we’re all united by the same experience, even if it is a fleeting one.

Aquatics-based sports are uniquely appealing, and their appeal is amplified by what’s at stake during the Olympic Summer Games. Perhaps I’ve been seduced as a viewer by the aesthetics, the contrast of the athlete whose body is taut and powerful, and yet so small upon entering the vast, shimmering pool. In diving events, there is the creak of the springboard, the impossibly precise twists and turns, and finally the splash which punctuates the athlete’s efforts, ultimately determining the success (or failure) of the attempt itself. And for swimmers, there is further contrast to enjoy, a stillness prior to the start, a nervous energy barely contained, one that explodes into chaos as limbs chop through water.

With the entire world watching, it’s no surprise that swimming pools utilized for the Summer Games look immaculate and inviting. There is nothing like one in nature, with its exact dimensions, its aquamarine shine and perfect polish. From surface to floor, the pool remains clear and clean, its temperature regulated for maximum comfort.

Of course, private universities and colleges across the country host aquatics-based sporting competitions of their own, and with an understanding of best practices and the technologies needed, these institutions have worked diligently to reproduce the pristine standards of Olympic swimming pools.

The Challenges of Pool Water Treatment

If you’ve ever enjoyed a beautiful, inviting swimming pool, chances are you’ve encountered its opposite—a high chlorine smell; cloudy water; the base stained with grime.

A pool left untreated has become infested with compounds known as chloramines. Known otherwise as “combined chlorine,” the terms represent a family of compounds comprised of used chlorine that has combined with ammonia molecules after killing germs and oxidizing organic compounds, such as those found in urine, sweat, saliva, suntan lotion, among many others.

Chloramines are the cause of the high chlorine smell. Ironically, pools that smell bad aren’t over-chlorinated; rather, they’re under-chlorinated.  Not only do chloramines smell bad, but they are also corrosive and have the potential to cause everything from swimmers’ teeth to the ducting in an HVAC system. More concerning, they’re also widely associated with causing respiratory problems, particularly in highly frequented indoor aquatic facilities—an issue addressed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and also one covered in the Model Aquatic Health Code.

Service providers usually contend with chloramines in pools by shocking the water with large doses of chlorine to achieve “breakpoint chlorination,” meaning that the residual of free-available chlorine has reached 10 times the concentration of chloramines, in turn causing them to break apart by way of oxidation. The problem with this approach is it requires the use of large quantities of chlorine or other shock treatments, and the pool must be closed during the treatment. It is also expensive and time consuming.

Technologies that Keep Our Pools Clean and Beautiful

Rather than treat chloramines after they’ve polluted the pool, a far more effective strategy is to address them prior to their buildup. Many service pool/water chemistry professionals advocate for using a combination of treatment technologies—corona discharge ozone systems, UV sanitation devices, and radically reduced chlorine levels.

Corona discharge ozone systems handle the oxidation task, destroying organic compounds like chloramines that fuel the development of bacteria. The UV system shreds the bacteria, preventing it from mutating. The chlorine plays a supporting role as a constant sanitizing residual.

By using a combination of all three technology treatments, problems associated with high chlorine levels are eliminated; likewise, corrosive source water becomes much easier to manage. The ozone system maintains a constant oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and so it oxidizes the unwanted compounds with reliable consistency. This makes the ultraviolet transparency (UVT) of the water ideal for the UV system to destroy the harmful bacteria and prevent them from mutating.

Bugs!—And How to Kill Them

Service pool/water chemistry professionals are well aware of the presence of chlorine-resistant pathogens, namely the cryptosporidium, a nasty organism that has caused a number of outbreaks resulting in severe, even fatal gastrointestinal problems. Especially for university swimming pools located outdoors, such outbreaks remain a concern.

Chlorine does not kill the bugs, but the good news is that the organism is destroyed by properly sized ozone and UV systems.

Facility managers and servicers of our private institutions’ swimming pools must adopt measures to prevent an infestation before it happens. The financial cost of using ozone and UV system technologies offers significant return on investment in the form of greatly reduced chemical costs, both in terms of the very small volume of chlorine required and the reduced need for water mineral balance adjustment. Also, eliminating the presence of chloramines can greatly reduce the corrosion of materials that may surround the pool, leading to significant savings while also reducing the required air turnover rate.

Most importantly, those using the facility are breathing uncompromised air. The water quality generated by proper treatment with combined technologies, in addition to proper filtration regimens, becomes so appealing that it attracts rather than repels users.

Learning from the Past at Yale University

In 2006, Yale University closed its practice pool due to concerns about how the water and air quality of the facility were affecting its student-athletes. The administration discovered the facility had poor air circulation and high levels of chloramines in the water, which caused coughing as well as irritation to the eyes, noses, and throats of swimmers.

During the closure, UV filters were installed in the water return-line to purify the pool’s contents. Four new fans were added in the room to enhance air quality, and the university commissioned an architect to evaluate the improved conditions.  The changes were successful, leading to a 75% reduction in chlorine use, and also to improved water and air quality.  It is key to note that the addition of UV filters, in particular, were not a temporary fix but rather a permanent, cost-saving solution to a potentially serious and health-related concern.