by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern
There are a lot of concerns when it comes to standard pools and hot tubs, such as their cost and health impacts. What about their environmental impacts? Most hot tubs and pools contain chlorine, bromide, salt, and algaecides which can be harmful to the environment, especially when not disposed of properly.
Ultraviolet Light
A great alternative to chlorine is ultraviolet light in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide which has been shown to be very effective in sanitizing pools and hot tubs (Crandall, 1986). Ultraviolet disrupts the DNA of microorganisms to stop their development (Yang et al., 2019). This system is easy to install and maintain, energy efficient, and effective on a wide range of pathogens, including those resistant to chlorination (certain protozoa such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia), reliable, cost-effective, and can be more effective than chlorine.
Active Oxygen
Active oxygen is another great alternative to harsh chemicals as it is gentler and safer. This is especially important for people who have allergies or sensitive skin. However, active oxygen is too dilute to significantly contribute to disinfection and oxidation of bather contaminants, so it is recommended to be used in conjunction with chlorine. This is known as shock chlorination and can keep the water clean (Tubs, 2001).
Natural Pools
Natural swimming pools are a great option for homeowners as they are environmentally beneficial, free of chemical irritants, aesthetically pleasing, and cost less to maintain than traditional pools. Natural pools mimic a natural pond to filter and sanitize the water, using natural vegetation, good bacteria, and other microorganisms. Because these pools are built like a nature pond that means they also support local wildlife and pollinators.
A natural swimming pool is a great alternative to a swimming pool or hot tub (photo: lorigami).
Saunas
Saunas are a great alternative to hot tubs and provide the same type of pleasure and relaxation without the water or need for harsh chemicals to clean them. There are several different types of saunas, including electric, wood, smoke, infrared, and steam. All of these are great options and kind to the freshwater ecosystems near them, however some of them are more environmentally friendly than others.
Wood burning saunas are great because they do not use electricity, but they do require burning wood which releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The impacts of an infrared sauna can be offset with the use of solar panels to power the sauna. It is also important to efficiently build the sauna so you can have the lowest environmental impact possible between the smaller size, minimal construction, and clean energy generation (Bottero, 2022).
Saunas are not just great for their low impacts on the environment, they have also shown to have several health benefits such as reduction in the risk of vascular diseases and nonvascular conditions, specific skin conditions, and pain in conditions like rheumatic diseases and headaches (Laukkanen et al., 2018).
Conclusion
There are great alternative options to be able to keep these wonderful commodities for recreational activity, aerobic and physical therapy, relaxation, and social gatherings, and still reduce your environmental impact at the cottage or in the city. These options vary in size, cost, and energy consumption so it is important to do your research ahead of construction so you can find what is right for you and your family.
Watersheds Canada is initiating an education awareness campaign to protect our freshwater ecosystems from hot tub and pool pollution. Your action could be the ripple effect needed to spark change! Share this education campaign with those in your network and community as we all join hands against pollution to our freshwater areas.
References
Bottero, K. (2022). 4 Different Types of Saunas and Their Environmental Impacts. Green Building. Retrieved from https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/saunas-environmental-impact/
Crandall, R. A. (1986). The Use of Ultraviolet Light In the Treatment of Water in Public Spas and Hot Tubs. Journal of Environmental Health, 49(1), 16–23. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44541041
Laukkanen, J.A., et al. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111-1121. https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30275-1/
Tubs, H. (2001). Survey of swimming pool/Spa sanitizers and sanitation systems. Journal of the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry, 4(1), 9-29. https://www.poolhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JSPSI_V4N1_pp09-29.pdf
Yang, J. H., Wu, U., Tai, H., Sheng, W. (2019). Effectiveness of an ultraviolet-C disinfection system for reduction of healthcare-associated pathogens. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 52(3) 487-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2017.08.017.
This blog is part of an education toolkit generously funded by:
