A Greener Oasis: Reduce Your Pool's Chemical Use

The most environmentally-friendly pool is a chemical-free pool. Luckily, there are two non-chlorine pool systems which exist today, the ozone treatment and the oxygen system. These two systems are chemical free and do not use any form of chlorine to make their system work. Although both have their different benefits and disadvantages, they are still both better than using chlorine. These chlorine free pools are so incredibly refreshing that you will never want to swim in chlorine ever again - it feels like swimming in a bottle of water!

With these non-chlorine pools there is absolutely no chemicals being used which means it is a natural cleaning system - one that is good for you as well as the environment. Many consumers find that these non-chemical pools are far easier to maintain and even more affordable than chlorine or salt-water pools. Chlorine pools cost a great deal when you are constantly buying large containers of chemicals to sustain water PH levels.

If you do use chlorine and are looking for an easy, eco-friendly way to dispose of the chemically treated water after swimming season's over, just uncover your pool and wait about 10 days for the sunlight to naturally dissipate the chlorine.

For extra credit, you can even have an ecological landscaper create a water cleaning system for your pool water using certain flora such as irises, cattails, arrowroot and reeds. With these plants in a gravel area next to the pool, the shallow water they grow in is purified by the natural bacteria in the roots and then re-circulated into the pool through a pump.

For more eco-friendly tips from RTM, click here.

Comments

[Jeff Sloan]

The two disinfectant methods you mention should only be used as a supplement to chlorine, not as its replacement. Ozone can only disinfect water as it flows through the treatment system. Chlorine (or bromine) is still needed to help kill germs throughout the pool. The “oxygen” system you’ve linked to uses a copper ionizer, which according to accepted product standards (ANSI/NSF Standard 50) should be used in conjunction with chlorine. If you’d like to use one of these systems, be sure to also maintain the necessary level of a sanitizer at all times.

Best Regards,
Jeff

Jeff Sloan
American Chemistry Council