Are there “Chemical Free” Spa
Water Treatments?
The short answer:
There is no “Chemical Free”
system for maintaining and protecting soakers in a hot tub!
Since the first hot tubber
slipped into the first barrel to relax and warm their soul, every hot tub sales
person has pondered the “chemical free” solution. Some have even attempted to convince an
unwary buyer that such a solution exists.
Our starting point in hot tub
water management is clean – bacteria free – water. Under Health Canada
All pool and spa
products (chemicals and devices) used to control microorganisms and algae must
be registered or scheduled under the Pest Control Products Act. Health Canada
Registered or
scheduled products carry labels with directions on how to use them, and
precautions to minimize hazards to people using the products. Registered
products are easily identified. Just look for the five-digit registration
number on the front of the package:
Scheduled product's
label will indicate "Scheduled under The Pest
Control Product Act".
Other pool and spa
products, like pH adjusters, shock treatment, chlorine neutralizers and devices
used only to dispense pool and spa chemicals, do not have to be registered.
This is because they do not control disease-causing microorganisms or algae. If
you are in doubt about whether a product you are considering is subject to the Pest Control Products Act, please contact the Health Canada
Avoid unidentified or
inadequately labeled products. Use
only registered or scheduled products and follow label directions - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/pool-spa-piscine/index-eng.php#a8
.
Any program that does not address this basic
requirement is not only dangerous, for the bathers, but illegal to sell in Canada
In our experience tubers asking
for “Chemical Free” systems are really asking for Chlorine and bromine free
systems. In Canada
Botanical products:
These new
phosphate free products reduce the pressure on your water and the
environment. The botanicals replace the
common synthetics while working with all chlorine or bromine programs. An
example of this product line would be the Dazzle Botanical line.
Enzyme products:
Often presented as “Chemical Free” they are not and do still
require chlorine or bromine to meet Health Canada
Mineral systems:
These are
the deluxe hybrid systems that work as easy as the enzymes with the reliability
of traditional multi-product programs.
Mineral systems address not only the sanitation concerns but treat the
water in such away that the “quality” of the water feel is enhanced. Natural skin softeners in mineral products
results in less skin and membrane irritation.
The big bonus with these systems is the greatly reduced numbers of
required maintenance products that hot tubs require when used properly. The programs work equally well with Chlorine
or bromine sanitizers. Because of their
unique method of handling film and oils, users may experience less demand for
sanitizers as there is less organic in the water drawing on the oxidizing effects
of chlorine (or bromine). An example of
a mineral program is Mineraluxe.
Hydrogen-peroxide:
H2O2 is
a strong oxidizer that is occasionally used to treat water. This product maybe effective but is not a
registered sanitizer (under Health
Hydrogen-peroxide should be stored
in a dark and cool area and only handle with adequate eye and skin protection
(the fumes are highly toxic and irritating if inhaled). For spa use it is required that you use 35%
hydrogen peroxide (that little bottle under the sink, 3-6%, will have no
effect).
Hydrogen-peroxide has not
proven effective to control algae which can cause cloudiness. If you experience cloudy water you will need
to use chlorine.
The pH of Hydrogen peroxide
is very low (<3.7). Besides being an
indication of its acidic qualities the low pH also indicates that the pH of you
water will tend to drop (eroding your total alkalinity) and as hydrogen
peroxide 35% is a liquid , it also indicates the extreme danger of acid burns ,
if handle improperly.
As a side not large
containers of Hydrogen peroxide 35% are controlled for shipping by Transport Canada
Ionic Mineral Cartridge Clarifiers: (silver/copper) These products help to keep to
your water clean when used with an approved chlorine sanitizer. They work by removing small organics that
your filter can miss. In chlorine system
they will help remove chloramines which cause irritation and odours. It is recommended that chlorine (not bromine)
be used with these products. Ion Mineral
Cartridges can enhance any of the above programs, improving water quality and
security. An example of this kind of
product is Nature 2.
Devices
SALT (chlorine generators):
There is only one device
that has a Health Canada has given a PCPA
registration Number for use in hot tubs and that is the ACE Salt chlorine generator
by Watkins manufacturing available on HotSpring Spas. The Ace device produces 5 different oxidizers
including active Chlorine and active oxygen.
The expected cell life exceeds 10,000 hours. These devised need to monitor they own effectiveness
and life cycles. The benefit to this
kind of device is the huge reduction of day to day and month to month
maintenance. Most users will also
experience longer fill cycles (up to two years between fills) because the sanitizers and oxidizers are
produced in the spa and the by product is simple salt there are no build up of
by products associated with power, liquid, and tablet sanitizers.
Ultra violet light devices
have been around for many years and have found uses in industrial and drinking
water treatment applications. This
normally provides the bases of the spa industry claims of reliability. It is important to note: UV use in bathing water (swimming and Hot Tub)
has never been proven in actual usage applications. and have never been
approved, for use as either sanitizers or bacterial/pathogen control devices in
bathing applications, by Health Canada
What are UV systems suppose to
do? UV light expose has been proven to
sterilize (not destroy) pathogens in water.
For this to happen the exposure time must be controlled, the source
(blub) must be clean, and the bulb must be producing the right wave length. These three major conditions are difficult to
maintain and without regular (daily) pathogen testing you can not be sure the
device is working.
It is recommended that the
bulb be replaced every year.
Ozone Generators:
The most common form of these
devices are the corona discharge style. There are also a group of UV ozone units
(not to be confused with UV sterilizers mentioned above)
A Corona discharge ozone unit
produces ozone (O3) by passing air (with O2) through a
chamber that is then “Sparked”. The
resulting active electrons form the electric spark facilitates the formation of
the O3 molecule.. Ozone is a very unstable molecule so will quickly
release the extra oxygen and associated electron effectively oxidizing surrounding
organics.
Ozone is not meant to replace
approved sanitizers but will aid in the oxidation of materials in the water freeing
your sanitizer to neutralize bacteria and pathogens.
Ozone after it is produced in
the CD unit must be mixed into the water.
It is very important how this is accomplished. If it is injected to quickly (reduced contact
time) the ozone will leave the water as a gas (Gas off). Because ozone is a highly active element if
it leaves the water as a gas it can cause damage to spa pillows and
covers. A good ozone system includes a
specially designed injector site and a mixing tube to allow the gas bubbles
(ozone) to come in contact with a large amount of water while being contained to
prevent damage. By the time the water
and ozone mix into the main spa volume there should be very little ozone left
and the bubbles that the spa owner will see will be mostly “air”.
In the end the hot tubber will decide what works for them. However it is strongly recommended they chose a Health Canada register product for their safety, the safety of their guests, and possible liabilities. Enjoying a hot tub is more than just what's in the water. Talk to your hot tub profesional and select a program that protects and enhances water safety and quality, then lounge back and ...relax. VHT.blog 06/03/2013
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