Ozone Sanitization Systems

Many pool owners and pool professionals didn’t see the chemical shortage coming. It hit the industry hard, and the impact is beginning to be felt. When the going gets tough, we look for new, different, and more efficient options.

In this series, we’ve been looking at pool sanitizing alternatives to consider getting you through the shortage and beyond. We’ve looked at salt cell generators, UV systems, and in this blog, we will look at how ozone can help keep your pool running clean during these unforeseen times.

How Does Ozone Work?

Ozone is a gas that occurs naturally in higher altitudes within our atmosphere, which helps protect us from the sun. Much like UV light, we can use this naturally occurring gas to help sanitize and clean swimming pools. This generator is piped to the circulation line of your pool, downstream from the rest of the equipment. Once connected, the system will work as a whole to circulate the pool water through the ozonator, dissolving ozone gas directly into the water.

There are two ways ozone is produced; by UV light or corona discharge(CD). When using UV light to create ozone, the light produces at a particular wavelength (185 nanometers). This breaks down oxygen molecules into individual atoms. The process happens as air passes through the light.

Corona discharge functions similarly, but in this instance, the air must move through a high voltage discharge. Both processes will break down the oxygen molecules and recombine them into ozone. Ozone systems that use corona discharge carry a higher upfront cost, but operate more efficiently than systems that use UV and can save you money on energy costs in the long run.

However, both approaches can be strong enough to combat bacteria, but safe enough for swimmers. Any leftover ozone will dissipate from the surface of the water and convert back to oxygen.

Benefits

Keeping your pool clean is the main component of a healthy running swimming pool. Ozone systems are beneficial in helping to maintain the cleanliness of your pool, requiring less maintenance. E Coli and other bacteria are the leading cause of murky green water and algae growth over time, and sometimes overnight. An ozone system kills these organisms and combats their ability to reproduce. At the same time, it sanitizes the pool water. 

Ozone is one of the simpler alternatives to add to your pool system. Overall maintenance is cut down by a drastic amount. Due to the system’s ability to continuously kill off bacteria, there is less need for chemicals. However, just as with any other system, you will need some chemicals to keep your pool chemistry at proper levels.

Using another sanitization method along with ozone produces a greater benefit. For example, having a saltwater pool assisted by an ozone generator will allow for a more efficient sanitization system overall. 

The importance of keeping your pool clean and regularly maintained has a lasting effect on how the pool can function. Without proper maintenance, pool chemistry, and equipment, none of the alternatives will be of much use. With a bit of upkeep, these systems will help you minimize the overall chemical need, time spent, and cost. As the shortage continues, so does the search for more efficient, cost-effective ways to operate swimming pools.