Can Salt Water Pools Make You Sick? Health Risks & Solutions

Tools & Supplies Needed

Find on Amazon: Taylor K-2006C Test Kit , Liquid Chlorine 12.5% , Salt Cell Cleaner

Quick Answer

Yes, salt water pools can make you sick, but usually only when they're improperly maintained. Unlike what many believe, salt water pools still use chlorine for sanitization - they just generate it from salt. When the chlorine levels drop too low or pH gets out of balance, harmful bacteria and algae can flourish, potentially causing skin irritation, eye infections, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal problems.

First, Let's Diagnose the Problem

Before jumping to solutions, we need to identify what's actually making you sick. Salt water pool illness typically stems from one of these issues:

Check Your Water Chemistry

Test your water immediately using a reliable test kit like the Taylor K-2006C. Look for these warning signs:

• Free Chlorine (FC) below 3.0 ppm - Insufficient sanitization allows bacteria growth
• pH above 7.8 or below 7.0 - Reduces chlorine effectiveness and causes irritation
• Total Alkalinity outside 60-80 ppm range - Causes pH instability in salt water pools
• Cyanuric Acid (CYA) above 80 ppm - Chlorine lock prevents effective sanitization

Visual Inspection Signs

Look for these physical indicators of problems:

• Cloudy or hazy water
• Green, yellow, or pink water tinting
• Slimy surfaces on pool walls or steps
• Strong chemical smell (indicates chloramines, not free chlorine)
• Foam or bubbles that persist

Common Symptoms from Contaminated Salt Water Pools

• Skin rashes, itching, or burning sensation
• Red, irritated eyes or eye infections
• Respiratory irritation or coughing
• Ear infections
• Stomach upset or diarrhea (from accidentally ingesting contaminated water)

Step-by-Step Solutions

Immediate Actions for Contaminated Pool

1. Stop swimming immediately until water chemistry is corrected
2. Test your salt cell generator - Check if it's producing adequate chlorine. Most units should show 3,000-4,000 ppm salt levels
3. Manually add liquid chlorine if FC is below 3.0 ppm. Add 1 gallon of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite per 10,000 gallons to raise FC by 10 ppm
4. Test and adjust pH first - Add muriatic acid if pH is above 7.6. Typically, 1 quart per 10,000 gallons lowers pH by 0.2 units

SLAM Process for Severely Contaminated Pools

If your pool is green, cloudy, or showing signs of algae/bacteria growth, perform a SLAM (Shock Level And Maintain) process:

1. Calculate your shock level using the FC/CYA chart. With CYA at 70-80 ppm (typical for salt water pools), maintain FC at 26-30 ppm
2. Add liquid chlorine to reach shock level. This may require 3-5 gallons of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite for a 20,000-gallon pool
3. Run filtration 24/7 during SLAM process
4. Brush pool surfaces twice daily to remove biofilm where bacteria hide
5. Test FC every 2-4 hours and add chlorine to maintain shock level
6. Continue until overnight FC loss is less than 1.0 ppm and water is crystal clear

Ongoing Prevention Measures

1. Test water 2-3 times weekly during swimming season, focusing on FC and pH
2. Clean salt cell monthly with muriatic acid solution (1:10 ratio) to remove calcium buildup
3. Maintain proper CYA levels between 70-80 ppm for salt water generators
4. Shock weekly with liquid chlorine even with salt generator running to break down chloramines

Why Salt Water Pools Get Contaminated

Many pool owners mistakenly believe salt water pools don't need chlorine or chemical maintenance. The truth is salt water generators simply convert salt into chlorine through electrolysis. When the generator fails, salt levels drop, or water chemistry gets imbalanced, sanitization suffers just like any pool.

Common misconceptions that lead to problems:

• "Salt water pools don't need chemicals" - False, they still need balanced pH, alkalinity, and adequate chlorine
• "The generator handles everything" - Generators can fail, get scaled up, or produce insufficient chlorine during high bather loads
• "Salt is natural so it's always safe" - Improperly maintained salt water can harbor the same pathogens as any untreated water

When to Seek Medical Attention

Contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Persistent eye infections or vision problems
• Severe skin reactions or rashes that don't improve
• Respiratory symptoms lasting more than 24 hours
• Signs of ear infection (pain, discharge, hearing changes)
• Gastrointestinal symptoms lasting more than 48 hours

Remember, properly maintained salt water pools are actually gentler on skin and eyes than traditional chlorine pools because they produce a more stable form of chlorine with fewer harsh byproducts. The key is consistent monitoring and maintenance to prevent the conditions that allow harmful microorganisms to thrive.