What is the purpose of adding cyanuric acid to a pool?

Adding cyanuric acid to a pool serves the essential purpose of stabilizing chlorine. When chlorine is added to pool water, it is effective in sanitizing and killing harmful bacteria and algae. However, chlorine is susceptible to degradation by ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. Without stabilization, the effectiveness of chlorine can diminish rapidly outdoors, leading to increased chlorine usage and potential issues with water quality.

Cyanuric acid acts as a protective shield for chlorine, reducing its loss due to UV exposure. By stabilizing the chlorine levels, cyanuric acid helps maintain a consistent and effective level of sanitizer in the pool water, contributing to better water quality and safety for swimmers. This stabilization is particularly important for outdoor pools or pools exposed to direct sunlight.

Other options refer to different aspects of pool chemistry. Clarifying water pertains to improving clarity by removing particles, increasing alkalinity involves raising the concentration of alkaline substances in water, and reducing pH relates to making the water more acidic. However, none of these fulfill the specific role that cyanuric acid plays in protecting chlorine from UV degradation.