While not all of us are married to either footballers or rock stars, this doesn’t necessarily mean we have to miss out on the benefits of a good spa session, as and when the mood takes us. And that’s largely thanks to a growing number of hot tubs and more compact spa modules appearing on an ever-expanding home market in recent years; designed and manufactured by companies looking to ensure that the seemingly less well-heeled can experience the lifestyle of the rich and famous from the comfort of their own back garden. But of course, and as with anything which houses temperate water for any period of time, hidden dangers often lurk within spa pools, which need to be flagged up to safeguard users health and wellbeing. It’s all well and good subscribing to the more jet-set life, however we must always remain vigilant when it comes to addressing unseen threats posed by the existence of the legionella bacterium which can take root and prosper in what’s perceived to be the most unlikely of places. Indeed, hiding in plain sight is one of legionella’s primary angles of attack, and therefore should never be underestimated in an otherwise in-hostile and domestically blissful surround.

Let’s not forget that we should undertake all known measures (and applied methodology) to minimise the risk from exposure to legionella - and a range of other infectious agents - in circumstances where the storage of water comes into sharp focus. It’s imperative that situations are suitably monitored, managed and controlled on an on-going basis, and that subsequently the full gamut of precautions are taken to determine that the means put into operation to quell any threat from legionella remain effective going forward. Essentially this relates directly to the routine testing, sampling and analysis required to ascertain whether the presence of bacteria in spa pools and hot tubs is a clear and present danger to those who come into contact with the equipment.

What Does Testing Spa Pools for Water Quality Typically Entail?

OK, the whole idea of purchasing your own spa pool or hot tub was to encourage an altogether more relaxed, stress and tension-relieving immediate environ and ambience, not to start worrying about the prospect of contracting Legionnaires’ Disease, obviously. But then if you adhere to regular testing and monitoring of the water quality in your home installation, then you won’t have to, it’s as simple as that. But before we travel any further down this all-important route, we need to address the rudimentary facts and figures, to ensure we’re all on the same page from the outset. And the very first thing you should be aware of is treatment and maintenance of a spa pool or hot tub is very different to that of a swimming pool; primarily because the main difference is temperature settings. By and large spa water temperatures are traditionally set between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, while a conventional swimming pool is heated to around 82 degrees.

The former numbers presenting a significantly more opportunistic environment in which bacteria can flourish, whilst in addition to this the hotter the water the more open the pores on our skin become, thus making us increasingly susceptible to ski infections too. So the scene might also be set for the unwanted appearances of rashes and urinary tract infections, along with other unpleasant, yet common ailments. Did you know for instance that the most common spa-related ailment, dermatitis, is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas Aeruginosa? What’s more there previously been instance where Legionella pneumophila - which in turn leads to Legionnaires’ - has been known to be transmitted by spa pool (and hot tub users) inhaling water vapour from a contaminated installation.

Anyway, enough of the horror stories and on to the science fact, as it were, and the point at which things are done to guard against the threat of such episodes occurring. There’s no denying that spa pool (and hot tub) water is, by its very nature, a delicate substance which demands being routinely monitored and controlled to avoid the build-up of bacteria and other forms of contamination. In terms of the physical applications, these tend to focus on the administering of the tried and tested chemical cleaners/sanitizers (chlorine or bromine, for example), and/or installing an ozonator to eliminate harmful deposits. Below we take an overview of the predominant practices which should always be adopted - and robustly perpetuated – in order to maintain a quality of water which won’t impact on the spa pool (or hot tub) user’s health and general wellbeing.

Acknowledging the Key Factors Which Determine Spa Pool Water Quality Being at Optimum Levels

• Sanitizers – As we’ve already touched on, the hotter the water the more expansive the breeding ground for bacteria and viruses to prosper in. However the introduction of sanitizers can help in the fight against this by way of effectively disinfecting the water. Courtesy of test strips you can regularly check levels of both chlorine and bromine, which should, ideally be in the region of 1.5 – 3.0 PPM and 3.0 – 5.0 PPM respectively according to leading authorities on the subject. The ultimate aim is to always keep an adequate residual of free chlorine in the water, yet eliminating all combined chlorine. Chlorine’s sanitizing and oxidizing effectiveness is highly dependent upon the water’s pH, which can alter rapidly in a spa pool thanks to its relatively small volume.
• Spa Shock – If you don’t wish to opt for chlorine-based solutions to spa pool/hot tub maintenance, then you can instead choose from a range of non-chlorine shock treatments which eliminate odours and reduce irritating contaminants for fresh, clear water. But it’s always vital to remember that due to high water temperatures and heavy bather loads/usage, spa pools and hot tubs require higher sanitizer levels, together with increased oxidizer doses to eliminate unseen risks.
• pH Levels – Many experts will argue that pH levels are the most important component when it comes to water quality balance, whereby essentially the practice determines just how acidic or basic your water is. The optimum range for pH with regards to spas and hot tubs is between 7.2 and 7.8; anything below the former and the perceived acidity will run the risk of damaging the key equipment, such as heating elements, pump seals and the internal workings
• Total Alkalinity – While pH levels are justifiably crucial, so too is total alkalinity; perhaps even more so in some people’s opinions. In scientific terms, the total alkalinity is the buffer of pH, and therefore should the balance not be correct then the pH reading could well be misleading. In a nut shell, total alkalinity is the ability to control pH
• Calcium Hardness – Without going into too much technical detail, calcium hardness refers to the measurement of minerals in your water, including both calcium and magnesium. Although spa pool water requires some levels of hardness, this should never be at the detriment of a measured volume of calcium. If calcium levels fall short, then the water will draw from other minerals, including copper, aluminium and iron, (normally discovered within the construct of heating elements, pump seals and other internal parts), which will eventually pave the way for corrosion to manifest. Conversely, if there’s too greater emphasis placed on water hardness then you’ll observe resultant scale formation on the spa's interior and the water will take on a cloudy appearance. Realistically, the calcium reading for a spa pool or hot tub needs to be between 100 – 250 PPM’s (for acrylic finishes), and 250 – 450 PPM’s (for plaster constructs)

So How Often Should Water Quality in a Spa Pool be Checked?

Looking at frequency (and by the same token, the extent) of analysis, and we’d say that this rather depends on the recognised operating characteristics of the system employed by the spa pool/hot tub owner/user; yet that being said it would pretty much always include daily, monthly and/or quarterly actions so as to satisfy the required chemical dosage demands and do everything within your power to establish system water quality at all times. One of the most important aspects of routine checking should be to identify any changes in the water chemistry (especially pH), disinfectant concentrations and water balance per se, and which would subsequently afford the window of opportunity for the necessary corrective actions to be implemented. In terms of the actual testing of water quality (and the frequenting of chemical and microbiological monitoring), this critical part of spa pool treatment should always be performed by a suitably trained individual, or alternatively an external service provider. In the aftermath of rigorous and repeated testing, the nominated person (or service provider) should always record/report their findings within the chemical and microbiological parameters, and suffice to say act accordingly if any discrepancies are noted.