By The Zagosa Team. Published .
Reviewed or updated .
If you had to pick one chemical you simply cannot run a pool without, which would it be? Several are important, but the honest answer is chlorine. It is what keeps pool water healthy and free of harmful bacteria.
Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that could make you ill. It does this by breaking down the cell walls of those organisms, leaving them harmless.
It does more than kill germs, though. Chlorine also oxidises the organic matter that ends up in the water, things like sweat and other bodily fluids, which is what keeps your pool water clear and sparkling.
So how much do you need? That depends on the size of your pool, how often it is used and how much contamination is in the water. A good rule of thumb is to keep chlorine between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm).
Chlorine is not the whole picture. A healthy pool also needs a few other chemicals: pH balancers to stop the water going too acidic or alkaline, algaecides to keep algae at bay and shock treatments to clear bacteria and other contaminants.
Test your pool water regularly and add what it needs, and you will keep the pool a safe, enjoyable place for you and your family to relax.