Will it hurt to swim in a pool with a level of 6.8 or lower?

Answer 1

Your test kit may be telling you that your pH is 6.8 when in fact in may be much lower. Your test kit only tests to 6.8. Your skin will probably feel itchy and dry after swimming and will irritate your eyes. The worst part of having a pH lower than the recommended level is that it is pretty rough on the equipment - heater, pump and metal parts in contact with the water. The plaster will also be damaged and will not only be staining but it is being etched - removing what is called the butter part of the plaster. Turn off your pump now. Depending upon the size of the pool you will need upwards to 20 or more pounds of soda ash or costic soda if you know exactly how to handle and use. Add the soda ash - maybe 2 - 3 pounds at a time mixed with water in a bucket and pour as you walk around the pool coping (follow label inst.) and brush- testing about every 15 min. When the pH comes up to 7.0 or 7.2 stop adding soda ash and then turn on the pump. The water may turn cloudy - keep the circulation going until water is fairly clear. Back wash filter as needed. Don't worry about your chlorine levels during the process - do that after you have achieved your goal.

Ken

Answer 2

It could very well be damaging to your health.

To add a reason because that alone is not ever so helpful... :-)

Damaging because too little chlorine could well allow harmful bacteria to multiply. It's not the low Cl level itself that's the problem, but the loss of disinfecting action.

Answer 3

no