How can you tell if a pool is over-stabilized with cyanuric acid?

The effectiveness of chlorination is a critical factor in maintaining a safe and clean swimming environment. Cyanuric acid is often used as a stabilizer for chlorine in outdoor pools, protecting it from degradation by sunlight. However, if the levels of cyanuric acid become too high, it can interfere with chlorine’s ability to effectively sanitize the water.

In situations of over-stabilization, chlorine becomes less effective at killing bacteria and other harmful microorganisms present in the pool. This is because an excess of cyanuric acid can bind with chlorine and reduce its free available chlorine levels. As a result, pool operators may find that despite adding chlorine, the water remains unclean or that there is an increase in algae growth, which indicates poor sanitization.

Monitoring the chlorine levels alongside cyanuric acid levels is essential for pool maintenance. If the stabilizer is excessively high, it is crucial to address the situation to restore proper chlorine effectiveness and ensure pool safety.