Chlorine Sanitation

• The most common method of ensuring that a swimming pool's water is sanitary is by using a chlorine disinfectant. Chlorine itself comes in two major forms for private swimming pool use; liquid and solid. Both liquid and solid forms of chlorine for pools are abundantly available at swimming pool supply and even some department stores. Chlorine is also the least costly of the chemical swimming pool water disinfectants. However, chlorine's also a hazardous material, so ensure you handle it carefully when using it.
  
  

Bromine Sanitation

• Another method of swimming pool sanitation is the use of bromine disinfectant in a pool's water. Bromine as a pool's water disinfectant has the advantage of greater stability, meaning it'll last longer in a swimming pool. However, bromine's also a more costly pool water disinfectant to purchase. Costs between pool bromine and pool chlorine often even out as less bromine is used over time.. Like chlorine, bromine is a powerful disinfectant and a hazardous material so be careful when using it.
  
  

Nonchemical Sanitation

• Some swimming pool owners in the 21st century use various methods of nonchemical water sanitation. One method for keeping a swimming pool's water sanitary involves a system that's actually used to produce bottled water. This form of nonchemical pool water sanitation uses a titanium electrode in the pool's water return line, which creates oxygen as water passes over it. Once weekly, a separate ionization process is also used in disinfection. Oxygen is a potent disinfectant and can kill bacteria in swimming pool water.
  
  

Considerations

• Both chlorine and bromine used to sanitize a swimming pool's water need to be at certain recommended levels. Chlorine levels in a swimming pool should be between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm), with 2 ppm being ideal. Bromine levels in a swimming pool need to be at 2 to 4 ppm, with 4 ppm being ideal. All swimming pools, regardless of the sanitation method, also need to have their pH levels checked and adjusted as needed.
  
  

pH Adjustment

• In a swimming pool, pH is at least as important as the water sanitation method used. Swimming pool pH should, at minimum, range from 7 to 8, though 7.4 to 7.6 is best. Both chlorine and bromine work better when pH level is properly adjusted. You can raise a pool's pH by adding sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). You can lower a pool's pH by adding muriatic acid once a pH level of 7.8 is reached.