Saltwater Pools, Hot Tubs, and Freshwater: Is this the Best Alternative?

by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern Many pool and hot tub owners want to get away from the harsh chemicals like chlorine, bromide, and algaecides by switching to saltwater. Using saltwater is appealing because it is believed to be gentler on skin, hair, eyes, and swimwear, and pool-grade salt costs less to maintain than a chlorine pool. In contrast, salt water is corrosive to metal and natural stone, costs more to install, uses more energy to run and keep clean, and could also ... Read More

by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern Improperly draining your hot tub or pool can not only result in large fines but can also potentially result in the wastewater ending up in local freshwater bodies and making them inhabitable for some freshwater species. Most municipalities have guidelines for disposing pool or hot tub water, which can also be defined as “wastewater” or “greywater”. It is important to check with your municipality bylaws, provincial building codes, or your public ... Read More

by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern Wastewater Management Planning Without a reliable place to dispose of contaminated water, all other best management practices will not have the maximum effort they could. That is why it is important for a municipality to develop a Safe and Reliable Wastewater Treatment System. In order to have a successful wastewater treatment plant upgrade, municipalities should consider: Developing a long-term vision. Engaging with a wide range of decision ... Read More

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 ... Read More

by Paige Jessup, Climate Resilience Intern Pool and hot tubs are wonderful for recreational activity, aerobic activity and physical therapy, relaxation, and social gatherings. However, they may not be so wonderful for your local freshwater. Pools and hot tubs contain chlorine, bromide, salt, and algaecides which can be dangerous to the adjacent environment. Pool and hot tub water that is improperly discharged or improperly treated before being released can end up in different water bodies, ... Read More