Can You Swim With Low pH and Alkalinity?

Swimming is one of the best ways to beat the summer heat, and some people are lucky enough to have a swimming pool right in their backyard. Whether you are a seasoned or first-time pool owner, two questions that often arise are: Can you swim with low pH and alkalinity, and how do you reduce alkalinity in a pool? 

To start, you should not swim in a pool with the wrong chemical levels because it can harm you. To prevent you from losing valuable time in your pool, we provide the necessary information to maintain optimal water quality in a pool.

Understanding pH Levels in Your Pool

The first thing you need to understand is the pH level in your pool. pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline the water is, with 7.0 being neutral. If your pool’s pH level is below 7.0, it means that the water is acidic. If it is above 7.0, it means that the water is alkaline. Ideally, your pool’s pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8. 

You can easily measure the pH level of your pool by using a testing kit, which is available in most pool supply stores, and check if pH and alkalinity levels are low.

Correlation Between Water Quality and Safety

Maintaining optimal water quality in your pool is vital not only for the longevity of your pool, but also for safety. Swimming in a pool with low pH and alkalinity can have detrimental health effects, ranging from skin irritation to respiratory problems. High acidity can also damage your pool equipment and significantly reduce the lifespan of your pool.

Problems Associated with Low pH and Alkalinity

Swimming in a pool with low pH and alkalinity is not recommended. Although it may not pose an immediate danger, it can cause issues for both swimmers and the pool itself. 

Some potential problems include:

• Health issues: Acidic water can lead to skin irritation, dryness, and itching, as well as red, burning eyes for swimmers. On top of this, it can cause respiratory issues.
• Damage to pool surfaces and equipment: Low pH levels can cause corrosion of metal components, such as ladders, handrails, and pumps, as well as etching or deterioration of plaster, vinyl liners, or fiberglass pool surfaces. Swimming in these conditions may also cause your bathing suit to fade.
• Reduced sanitizer effectiveness: Acidic water can decrease the efficiency of sanitizers like chlorine, leading to algae growth, cloudy water, and an unhealthy swimming environment.

Maintaining Water Quality in Your Swimming Pool

The key to maintaining optimal water quality in your pool is to consider filtration, chlorination, pH level, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Filtration ensures that your pool water is physically clean by filtering out any impurities that may be present. Learn more about how you lower alkalinity but raise pH in our other posts.

Chlorination helps maintain the chemical balance in the pool water by killing bacteria and other microorganisms. Maintaining proper pH levels keeps the water clear and helps to prevent corrosion, whereas controlling the total alkalinity helps prevent the water from becoming too acidic or alkaline. Calcium hardness is another essential factor that ensures your swimming pool water is neither too hard nor too soft.

Balance the Pool Chemicals

While swimming in a pool can be a great way to beat the heat, you should never compromise on water quality. Maintaining optimal water quality is critical for both the longevity of your pool and more importantly, for the safety of those who dive into the water. 

Low pH and alkalinity pools can lead to various health problems ranging from skin irritation to respiratory problems. Always measure the pH level of your pool, and use the necessary chemicals to control the acidity and alkalinity of the water. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a safe and healthy swimming experience for all!