Ask Dr Bec: How does chlorine work to keep our pools clean?

Narrabri-based scientist Dr Bec Thistlethwaite will contribute a fortnightly column to The Courier on the science in our daily lives. Readers are invited to send their science questions in to Dr Bec via [email protected]

When summer hits Narrabri, the heat cranks up to full blast and with temperatures soaring, everyone heads to the pool for a refreshing dip.

But have you ever wondered how that sparkling water stays so clean, even with everyone piling in for cannonballs and belly flops?

The answer is chlorine.

Chlorine is added to pools in the form of hypochlorous acid which is a chemical that does all the heavy hitting to fight germs.

When people hop in the pool they can bring along with them dirt, sweat, sunscreen, and lots of invisible bacteria.

Chlorine targets these germy invaders by breaking down their cell walls and wiping them out.

It also tackles oils and grime, so the water stays crystal clear.

In Narrabri’s scorching summers, pools get a serious workout, with families, friends, and kids cooling off all day long.

This makes chlorine even more important.

The hotter it gets, the faster chlorine breaks down under the sun.

That’s why pool owners regularly check chlorine levels, topping them up to keep the water safe.

Ever noticed that ‘pool smell’?

It’s not chlorine itself, but chloramines – a byproduct formed when chlorine reacts with sweat or … urine.

So, as you escape the sizzling heat this summer, remember the hard job that chlorine is doing to keep you safe from germs.

It’s the reason your pool stays fresh and inviting no matter how many people jump in.