(a) The following chemicals may be used to treat swimming pool water: aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium hypochlorite, carbon dioxide, cyanuric acid, lime, muriatic acid, polyaluminum chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium bisulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium hypochlorite, sodium thiosulphate, approved algaecides, approved bromine compounds, and approved chelating, sequestering, and clarifying agents. No other chemicals shall be used to treat swimming pool water without prior written authorization from the Director.
(b) Aluminum sulfate and polyaluminum chloride shall not be fed continuously into a recirculation system using rapid sand filters. Formation of the floc shall be achieved separately and applied directly to the filter influent during the rewash and continuing into the early part of the filter cycle.
(c) Chemical water quality standards for swimming pools shall be as follows:
(1) Except as noted below, disinfectant residual, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and total dissolved solids shall be continuously maintained within the minimum and maximum ranges specified in Table III. If the swimming pool is equipped with automatic chemical controllers utilizing ORP measurements, ORP shall be maintained within the ranges specified in Table III. The use of ORP sensing equipment does not eliminate the requirement for routine water testing specified in Section 838.53. Disinfectant residual limits specified in Table III may be exceeded when superchlorinating a swimming pool provided that no patrons are present in the swimming pool water and that the disinfectant level is returned to the acceptable range prior to allowing patrons to enter the swimming pool water.
Table III. Chemical Water Quality Standards for Swimming Pools.
Parameter | Minimum | Ideal | Maximum |
Parameter | Minimum | Ideal | Maximum |
Free Chlorine Residual (ppm) | 1 | 1 – 3 | 3 |
Combined Chlorine Residual (ppm) | 0 | 0 | 0.2 |
Bromine Residual (ppm) | 2 | 2 – 4 | 4 |
Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) (millivolts) | 650 | 750 – 900 | N/A |
pH | 7.2 | 7.4 – 7.6 | 7.8 |
Total Alkalinity (ppm) | 60 | 80 – 120 | 180 |
Calcium Hardness (ppm) | 150 | 200 – 400 | 1,000 |
(2) Except as noted in Section 838.63(c)(1) and (d), disinfectant residuals shall be maintained within the ranges specified in Table III, twenty-four hours per day, through the use of automatic disinfection equipment specified in Section 838.45. For swimming pools that backwash/clean filters to storm drains, streams, lakes or other bodies of water, disinfectant levels may be temporarily reduced immediately prior to the backwashing/cleaning of filters, provided the swimming pool facility is not open for patron use.
(d) If Cyanuric acid or chlorinated cyanurates is used in an outdoor swimming pool, the Cyanuric acid levels and disinfectant residuals shall be maintained within the following ranges:
(1) A free chlorine residual of at least two ppm shall be maintained for Cyanuric acid levels from zero to fifty ppm.
(2) The concentration of Cyanuric acid shall not exceed fifty ppm.
(3) The use of Cyanuric acid or other chlorine stabilizers is prohibited in indoor swimming pools.
(e) An approved water quality test kit for determining free and total chlorine or total bromine residuals, pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness shall be provided and maintained. Provisions shall be made for checking superchlorination levels. Diethyl-p-phenylene diamine (DPD), or other testing reagent approved by the Director, is required for determining free halogen residual. If another disinfectant has been approved by the Director for use at a swimming pool, an appropriate test kit approved by the Director shall be provided and maintained. A test kit for measuring the concentration of Cyanuric acid, accurate within five ppm, shall be provided at each swimming pool using Cyanuric acid or chlorinated cyanurates. Testing equipment for total dissolved solids shall also be provided.
(f) Hand-feeding of chemicals shall not be permitted during hours of operation or within thirty minutes prior to opening.
(Ord. 07-14. Passed 12-18-07.)