Saltwater Pools for the Villages

[Ohiogirl]

I recall several posts about private saltwater pools - they seem to be the way to go for private pools nowadays.

The retirement community in Ft. Myers where relatives live has converted their large community pool (bigger than our neighborhood pools, probably smaller than our sports pools) to a saltwater pool. It's like swimming in a tub that has a water softener - nice.

Does anyone know if The Villages has considered doing this? And why aren't the newest pools south of 466A Saltwater ones (or are they)?

[graciegirl]

I recall several posts about private saltwater pools - they seem to be the way to go for private pools nowadays.

The retirement community in Ft. Myers where relatives live has converted their large community pool (bigger than our neighborhood pools, probably smaller than our sports pools) to a saltwater pool. It's like swimming in a tub that has a water softener - nice.

Does anyone know if The Villages has considered doing this? And why aren't the newest pools south of 466A Saltwater ones (or are they)?


I dunno but as everyone knows, it doesn't stop me from having an opinion.

I would guess that pools that a lot of people swim in have to have bleach added for health reasons.

BUT...you said a large community pool was using salt water. I wonder how the germs feel about salt?

[aljetmet]

Check this out

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22444

[mulligan]

Tamirind Grove pool is salt water

[Ohiogirl]

and asked if there were any current saltwater pools (public) or plans for saltwater pools. We were told None at present in the Villages and no plans for any, and to address this issue in the annual survey.

Ohioboy is a swimmer (does laps at Sports Pools) and says he noticed a huge positive difference when he went swimming in the Ft. Myers retirement community pool, which is larger than the neighborhood pools in The Villages. Felt that the saltwater pool was much easier on skin and eyes.

[Larry Wilson]

So glad you called the Rec. Department. There are no public salt water pools in The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

and asked if there were any current saltwater pools (public) or plans for saltwater pools. We were told None at present in the Villages and no plans for any, and to address this issue in the annual survey.

Ohioboy is a swimmer (does laps at Sports Pools) and says he noticed a huge positive difference when he went swimming in the Ft. Myers retirement community pool, which is larger than the neighborhood pools in The Villages. Felt that the saltwater pool was much easier on skin and eyes.

Ft Myers is a long way to go for a swim!

[Ohiogirl]

but we'd still rather live in The Villages - just wish they had, or were getting, saltwater pools!

[villages07]

Our pools are not saltwater but they use salt for cleaning and not chlorine, correct?

It's half a loaf, but the salt based filtration is also easier on the skin and suits than a chlorinated pool.

[BrendaD]

I asked if they would make the pools they were installing on the water side of Acevilla Drive saltwater if I wanted that. They said "no" so I didn't get a house with a pool. Don't understand why they are so much easier to maintain - my son is having one installed at his house in Tampa.

[Russ_Boston]

When I designed my pool a few months ago I could have put Chlorine, Salt or Ozone (with a very very small amount of chlorine) in as my sanitation system. Went with the ozone since I used it successfully up north. Not really sure what the question of the thread is.

[villages07]

Russ... At first I thought the OP was talking about the chlorination system, but, after further thought I think they mean a true salt water pool, ie, like sea water. I've seen these on cruise ships and some hotels. You float better, the water truly tastes salty, and will burn your eyes if you swim with eyes open.

[Ohiogirl]

I was not asking if TV was doing true saltwater pools as in ocean water. I was questioning whether or not TV was using the currently popular system that private pool owners are installing and older chlorine pool owners are converting to - is that an ozone system? I'm not sure.

Ohioboy says he noticed a big difference between the pool in Ft. Myers (which we were told by relatives had converted to a saltwater system) and the Villages pools. We were told by the Villages Rec Dept. that the Villages pools are chlorine systems - are you all saying this is not the case?

[swimdawg]

Just a couple comments from someone who swims on a regular basis.....and has been doing so for decades.

If you swim in a chlorinated pool with eyes open, your eyes will burn. I can't imagine swimming without goggles.

Also....a pool that has water heated to 82 degrees sounds warm.....but remember normal body temp is 98.6, so 82 degrees isn't all that warm....especially if it's a cool, windy day.

The indoor Olympic-sized pool that I lap swim in up north is heated to 83 or 84 degrees....and it's comfortable, but not warm.

The whirlpool is heated to 103 degrees....and that's nice.

An indoor pool in TV would be nice. Just had to throw that in! :)

[Larry Wilson]

I agree with everything you said. Good post.
Sometimes when we have a cold spell, the heaters can't keep up, the water will fall to the 70s.
The adult pools will be almost empty with air temps under 70. Most exercise classes and advanced volleyball cancel at below 65. Some winters we go a month before we get back on schedules.
All the serious pool users like the swim team etc. wear scuba suits etc.

[ilovetv]

I think some are referring to bromine used in the neighborhood and priority (country club) pools here. The sport pools seem to be regular chlorine that is well regulated, with the proper pH.

[The Villager II]

They are not as efficient and cost more than chlorine pools to run when used my large amount of people.

[DGx2]

A saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool. A saltwater pool has salt added to it, about the same salinity as your the water in your eyes. When the pool water circulates it passes through a device that changes the salt into chlorine. Almost all pools if treated properly have a ph of about 7.5 and a chlorine level of about 1.5ppm. A properly maintained pool should not burn your eyes. If it does it usually means the ph is incorrect or there are chlorimines in the water. An ozonater can help you sanitize your pool or spa at a lower level of chlorine, say about .5ppm. I would not swim in any pool that did not have some form of chlorine or bromine as it's primary disinfectant. A possible exception might be a pool treated with Baquacil (hydrogen peroxide). Was in the pool & spa business most of my adult life and over that time I learned a little bit.
DG

[Bogie Shooter]

A saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool. A saltwater pool has salt added to it, about the same salinity as your the water in your eyes. When the pool water circulates it passes through a device that changes the salt into chlorine. Almost all pools if treated properly have a ph of about 7.5 and a chlorine level of about 1.5ppm. A properly maintained pool should not burn your eyes. If it does it usually means the ph is incorrect or there are chlorimines in the water. An ozonater can help you sanitize your pool or spa at a lower level of chlorine, say about .5ppm. I would not swim in any pool that did not have some form of chlorine or bromine as it's primary disinfectant. A possible exception might be a pool treated with Baquacil (hydrogen peroxide). Was in the pool & spa business most of my adult life and over that time I learned a little bit.
DG

I hope you now realize that you are the "go to guy" for any pool questions.:thumbup:

[DGx2]

Been thinking about going back to work. Consulting on pools and spas might be just what the doctor ordered. First questions free, then I'll start the meter running. Any takers?
DG

[Russ_Boston]

Ok, back to the original, clarified, question. I thought TV uses salt in their sanitation systems. Anyone know the exact details. Perhaps an e-mail to Janet Tutt?

[swimdawg]

A saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool. A saltwater pool has salt added to it, about the same salinity as your the water in your eyes. When the pool water circulates it passes through a device that changes the salt into chlorine. Almost all pools if treated properly have a ph of about 7.5 and a chlorine level of about 1.5ppm. A properly maintained pool should not burn your eyes. If it does it usually means the ph is incorrect or there are chlorimines in the water. An ozonater can help you sanitize your pool or spa at a lower level of chlorine, say about .5ppm. I would not swim in any pool that did not have some form of chlorine or bromine as it's primary disinfectant. A possible exception might be a pool treated with Baquacil (hydrogen peroxide). Was in the pool & spa business most of my adult life and over that time I learned a little bit.
DG

I think you know what you're talking about but I still believe that your eyes would burn if you swam for any length of time and did not wear goggles. Eyes are not meant to have pool water exposure for any length of time.....no matter how pure.

[Ohiogirl]

Ok, back to the original, clarified, question. I thought TV uses salt in their sanitation systems. Anyone know the exact details. Perhaps an e-mail to Janet Tutt?

I would not even know how to correctly pose the question - perhaps one of you with more pool experience can take on this task and let us know? As before, we did call the rec dept. and got transferred to someone (unknown) who seemed to be definite that there were no public saltwater pools in TV.