Improve Air & Water Quality

Indoor aquatic facilities often suffer from poor air and water quality, especially with high bather loads. These problems can create health problems for swimmers, and can even cause damage to facility equipment. New recommendations from the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) suggest the use of a secondary sanitation system in these cases. One of the most common forms of secondary sanitation used in aquatic facilities is a UV system, which uses light to destroy microorganisms.

Q: Is a secondary sanitation system a good way to get our air and water quality issues under control?

A: Having a secondary sanitizing system in place can help ensure the cleanest water possible while also combating the high chloramine levels that cause poor air quality, red eyes, dry skin and other unpleasant side effects for bathers.

Q: How does chlorine contribute to poor air quality in our facility?

A: It is understood that aquatic facilities must be treated with chemicals continuously in order to deactivate pathogenic microorganisms, and to prevent the spread of waterborne illness. Unfortunately, chemicals such as chlorine react with organic and mineral compounds, resulting in harmful and foul-smelling byproducts, among which is nitrogen trichloride—what people commonly call "chloramines."

Not only do chloramines emit an unpleasant smell, which is particularly strong within indoor facilities, but these chloramine gases are also harmful to swimmers' lungs, if exposed over a long period of time.

UV is an excellent product to reduce the combined chloramines, which effectively improves indoor air quality.

Q: We are interested in adding UV, but have limited space in our pump room. Is there an affordable UV unit that has a small footprint? are there any options available?

A: UV systems are an excellent and affordable option that not only improves water quality, but also improves air quality, especially for indoor pools.

UV secondary disinfection systems offer aquatic facilities an alternative to the many chemicals normally purchased to ensure clean, clear swimming pool water. UV provides instant protection against chlorine-resistant microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Ultraviolet light is healthier for swimmers, the environment and your facility's bottom line as UV actually provides cost savings by reducing chemical usage. Aquatic facilities should look at low-pressure systems because they are more affordable.

UV units that can be installed vertically reduce the amount of installation space needed. Single-end UV lamps with a top-loading quartz sleeve are also easier to service. Low-pressure UV lamps offer up to 12,000 hours of continuous operation.