Pass the Salt

Green hair; red, burning eyes; and itchy skin. No, it's not the creature from the black lagoon, but a dip in a standard chlorine pool can make anyone bear a striking resemblance. In an effort to relax and swim in friendlier waters, many homeowners are turning away from the harsh chemicals in their pools to a much more innocuous element — salt.

Saltwater pools can be a softer, cleaner and fresher alternative to the discomfort of chlorine pools. “The comfort level of water is enhanced in the saltwater pool,” says Rick Banks, owner of Westbanks Aquascapes. “Softer water is nicer to hair and skin.”

Saltwater pools aren't necessarily a novel idea since the technology has been around for quite some time. However, the recent preference for saltwater systems is more a reflection of the current greener state of mind many homeowners have adopted. Banks Blue Valley Pools and Spas is one local company that has been installing saltwater pools for the past 20 years and can attest to the shift. “We've had the technology, but it's now just taking off,”   says Karen Peoples, store manager. “It is much more environmentally friendly.” The hazard of storing and using harsh chemicals in your pool has paved the way for saltwater pools, while time has only helped the technology get better and improve ease of operation for the owner.

The term ‘saltwater' is a bit of a misnomer. You're not swimming in a veritable vat of sodium, as the name might imply. The amount of salt in your pool is less than one-tenth the level of salt in the ocean, so you won't feel, taste or smell it. Also, to be perfectly clear, saltwater pools still generate chlorine. A saltwater pool simply utilizes a chlorine generator and some complex chemistry. “It's a salt-generating system that takes the molecule out of salt, generates it into a chlorine gas and puts it back into the pool,” Karen explains. After sanitizing your pool water, the chlorine chemically recombines with sodium, turns back into salt, and the process begins all over again. This cyclical and constant sanitizing process destroys bacteria, viruses and algae in your pool. Also, because salt does not evaporate, it gets reused over and over again, which effectively eliminates the need to constantly buy and add chemicals to the water.

But one possible drawback to converting to saltwater is the possibility of corrosion to equipment and surfaces around the pool. Manufacturers are aware of the concern and offer products like sealants that account for corrosion issues. It also has been argued that the use of a saltwater pool can be among a host of factors that contributes to general corrosion and deterioration, including poor maintenance, weather and general wear.

Also, the initial investment involved with converting to a saltwater pool can run up to $1,500 or more because of the cost of equipment and set up. However, both Rick and Karen say the saltwater pool system pays for itself in two to five years because of the reduction in chemicals used. Most saltwater pools come with a five-year warranty.

Proponents of saltwater systems tout the following benefits:

More comfortable. Because salt softens pool water, less chlorine in the pool translates into less skin irritation and lends itself to a comfortable and decidedly silkier feel. “The water has a softer feel and is easier on the eyes because there isn't any harsh chemical byproduct,” Karen says. 

Smells better. Lower chlorine levels eliminate that unmistakable chlorine taste and odor.

Simply safer. Saltwater pools reduce the need to purchase, store, add and handle chlorine.

Less maintenance. Saltwater systems are easy to maintain once the system is learned. The maintenance for a saltwater pool is about the same or a little less than a traditional chlorine pool since the owner still has to perform regular maintenance and ensure the pH levels are balanced.

Cost-effective. Saltwater systems are more expensive initially but less costly over time, particularly because you don't have to constantly replenish the salt in your pool like you would with chlorine.

As the rising number of homeowners can attest, a saltwater pool may be a cleaner and safer option worth considering both for the environment and your own comfort.