THE ANATOMY OF A POOL

At the most basic level a pool is simply a structure that holds water, but beyond that every pool has its own unique personality. The pool structure could be above-ground or in-ground. Its interior surface could be made out of plaster, vinyl, tile or fiberglass.

Not all water is the same either. Though most municipal water is similar, regional differences in water quality and mineral content vary widely, based on its source.

Common contaminants come from a variety of outside sources:

• Leaves, worms, insects and other wildlife that fall into the pool.
• Oils and cosmetics that wash off human skin.
• Perspiration and urine from swimmers.
• Organisms like bacteria, algae, fungus and mold that, if given the opportunity, will grow and thrive in warm water, clinging to walls and other surfaces, forming a biofilm.
• Naturally occurring elements such as calcium, phosphorous, nitrogen and metals. Some affect mineral water balance, while others affect the sanitizer efficiency and effectiveness.

The information on this page has been provided courtesy of BioLab, Inc. ©1998