Treating water with ozone is an increasingly common topic as cryptosporidium and other recreational water illnesses, and their resistance to chlorine, become a more common topic.

Ozone, which is 3 atoms of oxygen (O3), is an extremely powerful oxidizer and sanitizer. Ozone destroys anything it comes in contact with, fast and effectively. Additionally, it turns back onto oxygen, which some say adds to the quality of the water.

In nature, ozone is created in the stratosphere via UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun or lightning. Likewise, in swimming pool water, ozone is created with one of these two methods. With UV, air is passed over a UV bulb. The radiation breaks down the oxygen pairs into individual oxygen, which leads to ozone. This ozone, as introduced into the pool or spa's, is, again, a highly effective oxidizer and santizer.

It is important to note that one cannot use ozone alone to sanitize a pool due to ozone's short life span and the corresponding fact that water is only treated at the ozonator itself, as opposed to the entire pool. An ozonator, however, is a valuable supplement to any pool's system, offering an extra level of protection against cryptosporidium and other recreational water illnesses. Also note that ozone, by itself, is not very effective on algae.

Some manufacturers promote dramatically less chlorine usage with ozonators. Properly managed this is likely the case. However, we submit that the real value is this aforementioned extra level of protection.

Ozone is gaining market share in the pool business, particularly with commercial pools, but also with more substantial residential pools. We believe every pool owner should consider it.

Ozone creates no byproducts, and thus does not contribute to total dissolved solids (TDS). It also helps to remove soaps, scum, oil and chloramines, all bad stuff for pools. It works well with with halogens such as chlorine and bromine such that together they work even better on some micro contaminants. This makes ozone an excellent supplement for salt system pools, which generate their own chlorine, as well as pools treated with liquid chlorine, also called sodium hypochlorite or pool bleach, trichlor, or dichlor.

For more information on what ozone can do for you, call us at 305-940-POOL (305-940-7665), or via e-mail.