Swimming Pool Maintenance
Maintaining a clean, safe, and visually appealing swimming pool is not just about aesthetics—it's essential for the health and safety of swimmers. Regular swimming pool maintenance ensures that the water remains balanced, bacteria-free, and comfortable for use. To achieve this, certain water quality parameters must be routinely checked and managed. In this blog, we explore 13 essential parameters that every pool owner or operator should monitor to maintain optimal water quality and ensure a healthy swimming environment.
The first and most critical parameter is the pH level, which should ideally be between 7.2 and 7.8. Maintaining the correct pH ensures that chlorine disinfects effectively while preventing skin irritation and damage to pool surfaces. Temperature is another crucial factor, with the ideal range being 25°C to 29°C. Water that is too warm can encourage microbial growth, while colder water might be uncomfortable for swimmers. The colour of the pool water is a visual indicator of its health. Clear, blue water reflects good maintenance, while cloudy or greenish water often signals chemical imbalance or contamination.
Similarly, odour is a noticeable indicator of water quality. A clean pool should have little to no smell. A strong chlorine odour may indicate the presence of chloramines, which are less effective disinfectants and can cause irritation. Turbidity, or water clarity, must be low—ideally below 1 NTU. High turbidity can hide harmful objects or contaminants and signals poor filtration. Alkalinity, typically maintained between 80–120 mg/L, acts as a buffer for pH stability. Low alkalinity can cause pH levels to fluctuate dramatically, while high levels make pH adjustment difficult.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) represent the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances in the water. When TDS levels rise above 1500 mg/L, chlorine efficiency drops, and water clarity suffers. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is another important parameter that supports beneficial aerobic bacteria and helps prevent foul smells. It should ideally range from 5 to 7 mg/L. Free Residual Chlorine between 1–3 mg/L ensures the water is disinfected without being irritating to swimmers.
Chloride levels should be kept under 250 mg/L to avoid corrosion of pool equipment and surfaces. Aluminium, used occasionally in pool flocculants, should not exceed 0.2 mg/L as high concentrations can lead to cloudy water and potential health risks. Lead should ideally be undetectable in pool water, as it is highly toxic and can leach from old pipes or fittings. Iron content should be below 0.3 mg/L, as higher levels can cause reddish stains, promote bacteria growth, and affect water clarity.
Lastly, the Standard Plate Count (SPC) measures the number of bacteria in the water. A high count indicates poor sanitation and a risk of infections. At Virat Global Lab (A division of Aseries Envirotek India Private Limited), based in Lucknow, we specialize in eco-friendly water testing services that help individuals, institutions, and commercial pool operators keep their water safe, clean, and compliant with health standards. Our sustainable approach ensures accuracy while minimizing environmental impact. We are proud to offer our professional testing services across pan India, ensuring consistent quality and support no matter your location.
Regular water testing is the key to a sparkling clean pool and peace of mind—no matter where you are in the country.
At Virat Global Lab (A Division of Aseries Envirotek India Pvt. Ltd.), we invite businesses, Industries and institutions across various sectors to explore the benefits of partnering with us for their environmental testing and analytical needs.
