What is an Automatic Water Purification System? One of the most important features to consider when selecting a spa is
the water purification system. Your spa needs chemical sanitizers such as
chlorine or bromine, just like a swimming pool, keep the water clean. Many spa
manufacturers offer built-in water purification systems that supplement your
chemical sanitizers. A good water purification system can often reduce the
amount of chemicals used for water purification.
Ozone Generators Ozone is a practical addition to chlorine or bromine that helps keep
microbial activity to a minimum, plus it’s pH neutral, so it won’t affect water
chemistry. Ozone also helps reduce the amount of organic matter in your spa
water. While it has a higher oxidizing strength than bromine or chlorine, it’s
less stable and is affected by temperature, relative humidity, and water
chemistry parameters.
It’s important to note that ozone is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer. Contrary to
what some people might tell you, ozone cannot be used as a single-source
sanitizer. It only assists in the sanitation of recreational water, so chlorine
or bromine must also be used to maintain proper sanitation.
Some spas include a special ozone generating unit built right in. These units
are either ultra-violet (UV) light systems or corona discharge (CD) systems. The
current trend in the spa industry is toward CD systems, but not all CD systems
are created equal.
Most CD systems use a chip that must be replaced periodically, as it loses ozone
output efficiency over time. However, these systems are usually more reliable
than UV systems and they produce equivalent ozone output. Another type of CD
system uses a cell design that’s very stable with no degradation of ozone output
over time and it has a much higher output than either a UV or a CD chip system
Silver/Copper Ionizers
Silver/copper Ionizers are electrolytic devices that deliver measured amounts of
silver and copper ions into the spa water. It is an electro-mechanical process
using a low voltage DC current, which is passed between two electrodes to
release ions.
The silver ions function as a bacteria stat, killing bacteria at a slower rate
than bromine and chlorine and preventing the growth of bacteria. Copper ions act
as algicides or algae inhibitors, depending on the copper level.
Silver/copper ionizers should always be used in conjunction with bromine and
chlorine, plus a periodic chlorine or non-chlorine shock chemical.
Zinc Ionization
Zinc ionization is highly recommended for all spas, but especially for those
filled with well water or with water that has a high mineral content. The
process uses natural ionizers to cluster microscopic impurities and keep them in
suspension until the clusters are large enough to be filtered efficiently. This
simple electro-mechanical process uses a sacrificial anode (zinc plates) to draw
stray electrical currents (e.g. copper, iron, and magnesium) to itself rather
than to the pumps, filters, and heating element, extending the life and
efficiency of these key components.
Zinc ionization also prohibits the growth of algae (a main ingredient in
bacteria development), improves water clarity, and reduces the amount of
chemicals needed to sanitize your spa. Other benefits include helping to keep
your pH levels in balance while minimizing the build-up of minerals that scale
your water.
