Swimming Pool Chlorine: Does It Raise The pH Level?

by George
(New York)

Does swimming pool chlorine affect the pH level? Adding an excess amount of chlorine increase the pH?

Some people only uses a combination of muriatic acid and pool chlorine to maintain the swimming pool, but I guess that is due to the fact that they live in places where the water has alkaline components (also known as "hard water") so the acid "lowers" the pH.

Am I doing the right things?

Any help?

Thanks for the question George

Water systems and municipalities will have a different make-up of their water which differs from city to city.

Here in central Oregon the water company runs the water at a pH level of 7.8ppm - 8.2ppm and the alkalinity at 30. This is due to the older homes with copper piping not being able to handle the lower pH levels, say 7.0ppm - 7.2ppm. The water company dumps a tremendous amount of soda ash into the system, which raises the pH levels.

The only kind of pool chlorine that I know about that might raise your swimming pool pH level is calcium hypochlorite. This swimming pool chlorine has a pH level of 12, so places with a higher pH level might be better served by using liquid chlorine called sodium hypochlorite.

Adjust Your Swimming Pool Chlorine..Chemistry..Salt Water Maintenance..Inground

Calcium Hypochlorite..Swimming Pool Chlorine..Shock..Granular..Powder

Sodium Hypochlorite..Swimming Pool Chlorine..Water Care

Hope this helps

Robert