What Does a Pools pH Level Measure?
The pH level in a pool measures how acidic or basic the water is. pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14. Water with a pH of 7 is considered neutral, while water with a pH below 7 is acidic. A pH over 7 means that water is basic or alkaline. The idea pH level for a pool is between 7.4 and 7.6 Water that is too acidic can irritate swimmers’ eyes and erode a pool’s plaster walls, metal fittings and other equipment. If water is too basic, the pool’s chlorine activity may be slowed, scales may form on the pool walls, or the water may become cloudy. If testing reveals that the pH is not balanced, add chemicals may to bring the level back into the proper range. A pH increaser such as soda ash is effective for low pH levels, while a pH decreaser such as muriatic acid should be added to a pool with a high pH.
