WATER CHEMISTRY MATTERS
PH BALANCE
pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and is the measure of how many hydrogen (H+) ions are present in water. The less hydrogen ions there are in the water the more acidic the water becomes. pH is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, 0 is the most acidic, and 14 is the most basic (also known, confusingly, as alkaline). This scale is logarithmic and not linear; meaning that as you go from one number to the next you increase or decrease acidity by a factor of 10 and not one. (For example, water with a pH of 6.0 is 10 times more acidic than water with a pH of 7.0). Water with a pH less than 7 will wear out the equipment. Water with a pH more than 7.8 will make the water cloudier and cause scaling. Keeping the pH at an ideal level of 7.4-7.6 is best for your swimming comfort and the longevity of your tub.