The process of lowering pH in swimming pools involves adjusting the water’s chemical balance to decrease its alkalinity or basicity. Pool water with high pH can lead to various issues, including reduced effectiveness of chlorine, cloudy water, scale formation, and skin and eye irritation for swimmers. Consequently, maintaining a proper pH level is essential for a safe and comfortable swimming environment. An example would be adding muriatic acid or dry acid (sodium bisulfate) to the pool water to achieve a desired pH range, typically between 7.2 and 7.8.
Maintaining a balanced pH is critically important for sanitizer efficiency and overall water quality. Historically, maintaining proper pool chemistry has been a cornerstone of pool ownership, with various methods developed over time to address the issue of high pH. The advantages of achieving the correct pH level are numerous: optimized chlorine activity, prevention of equipment corrosion, enhanced swimmer comfort, and prevention of staining and scaling.