How are Swimming Pool and Spa Devices Regulated? What Types of Devices are Used in Swimming Pools and Spas? How Do These Devices Work? When is Additional Sanitizer Required? Recommended minimum free available chlorine or equivalent bromine

How are Swimming Pool and Spa Devices Regulated?

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada is responsible for the regulation of products for the control of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, and algae in swimming pools and spas under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Sanitizers are chemicals that reduce the numbers of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, to safe levels.

Devices which generate a sanitizer and/or which control algae require registration.

The PMRA reviews applications for registration on the basis of scientific information to assess hazards to human health and the environment in addition to product efficacy.

Devices which are registered are identified by the following statement on the front of the label and package:

What Types of Devices are Used in Swimming Pools and Spas?

There are 4 types of devices for use in swimming pools and spas:

1. chlorine/bromine generators for sanitation
2. chemical dispensing devices for sanitation
3. ionizers for algae control
4. ozone generating devices for reduction of organic matter

How Do These Devices Work?

1. Chlorine and bromine generators use electrical energy to produce hypochlorous or hypobromous acid from salt. Hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid are the primary chemical compounds responsible for sanitation in pools and spas treated with products based on chlorine or bromine. Chlorine and bromine generator devices require registration.
   
   
2. Chemical dispensing devices are designed to automatically release registered or scheduled hypochlorous or hypobromous acid into swimming pools. The user’s manual should be carefully followed. Chemical dispensing devices for swimming pool use do not require registration.
   
   
3. Ionizers produce metal ions (eg.: Cu 2+) to control algae. The use of chlorine-based or bromine-based products is still required. Ion and disinfectant levels should be checked frequently and electrodes replaced as needed. Ionizers require registration.
   
   
4. Ozone generating devices can be used for the reduction of organic matter in pool and spa water. Although these devices can be a useful complement to chlorine-based or bromine-based products, they do not replace them. The primary purpose of ozone generating devices is oxidation of organic matter. Ozone generating devices do not require registration unless claims for sanitation (control of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses) or for control of the growth of algae are made.

When is Additional Sanitizer Required?

When using ionizers or ozone generating devices, an appropriate level of chlorine or bromine-based sanitizer must be maintained in order to prevent the proliferation of disease-causing microorganisms. The level of sanitizer in your swimming pool or spa is called free available chlorine or equivalent bromine. This level can be determined by using a good quality test kit or by taking water samples to your pool and spa dealer.

Recommended minimum free available chlorine or equivalent bromine

• Residential Pools: 1-3 ppm
• Residential Spas: 3-5 ppm
• Commercial pools: provincial and/or municipal regulations must be followed.

The presence of organic matter in swimming pool water reduces the effectiveness of sanitizers. In some cases, the label directions of swimming pool sanitizers and algicides may instruct residential pool owners to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.6 ppm. Reducing sanitizer levels from 1-3 ppm (as recommended above) to 0.6 ppm is possible only when the organic matter content in swimming pool water is controlled. Check the directions for use on the product label.