Comments on: The people running your pool: Michigan is one of 21 states not requiring certification for pool operators http://greatlakesecho.org/2010/01/15/the-people-running-your-pool-michigan-is-one-of-21-states-not-requiring-certification-for-pool-operators/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:59:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob http://greatlakesecho.org/2010/01/15/the-people-running-your-pool-michigan-is-one-of-21-states-not-requiring-certification-for-pool-operators/comment-page-1/#comment-5408 Rob Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:42:39 +0000 http://greatlakesecho.org/?p=16576#comment-5408 After what I've learned about disinfecting pools, I wouldn't trust a certified pool technician either. Most pools are under-disinfected. A high free chlorine level is not nearly as dangerous as one that is too low. The chlorine pucks that the stores sell you contain stabilizer (CYA). Over time, using these pucks will cause your CYA level to become sky high which in turn means you need a higher free chlorine level to properly disinfect your pool. Your free chlorine should be about 8-10% of what your stabilizer (CYA) reading is. Get a good test kit that gives you accurate Free Chlorine readings, like this one here: <a href='http://pooltestingkits.com/taylor-test-kits/k-2006' rel="nofollow">Taylor K-2006 Swimming Pool Test Kit</a> After what I’ve learned about disinfecting pools, I wouldn’t trust a certified pool technician either. Most pools are under-disinfected. A high free chlorine level is not nearly as dangerous as one that is too low. The chlorine pucks that the stores sell you contain stabilizer (CYA). Over time, using these pucks will cause your CYA level to become sky high which in turn means you need a higher free chlorine level to properly disinfect your pool. Your free chlorine should be about 8-10% of what your stabilizer (CYA) reading is.

Get a good test kit that gives you accurate Free Chlorine readings, like this one here:
Taylor K-2006 Swimming Pool Test Kit

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]]> By: Dan http://greatlakesecho.org/2010/01/15/the-people-running-your-pool-michigan-is-one-of-21-states-not-requiring-certification-for-pool-operators/comment-page-1/#comment-3765 Dan Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:04:14 +0000 http://greatlakesecho.org/?p=16576#comment-3765 Many organizations provide training and certification for pool operators, not just NSPF. The National Recreation and Parks Association, the YMCA, The Aquatic Training Institute and many others have high quality programs that are approved and accredited in most states. A full list is on the CDC Healthy Swimming web site. High quality accredited training is available both in classrooms and online. Many organizations provide training and certification for pool operators, not just NSPF. The National Recreation and Parks Association, the YMCA, The Aquatic Training Institute and many others have high quality programs that are approved and accredited in most states. A full list is on the CDC Healthy Swimming web site. High quality accredited training is available both in classrooms and online.

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]]> By: Dave http://greatlakesecho.org/2010/01/15/the-people-running-your-pool-michigan-is-one-of-21-states-not-requiring-certification-for-pool-operators/comment-page-1/#comment-3759 Dave Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:46:48 +0000 http://greatlakesecho.org/?p=16576#comment-3759 Just a note of caution/correction: The notion that "Swimmers themselves can test public pools for bacteria using test strips...." is misleading. This method of testing only evaluates the water quality relative to chlorine (or, in some cases, bromine) and pH (alkalinity) levels. While this may be a reasonable indicator of whether the tested water is hospitable to bacteria, it does NOT measure bacteria. Just a note of caution/correction: The notion that “Swimmers themselves can test public pools for bacteria using test strips….” is misleading. This method of testing only evaluates the water quality relative to chlorine (or, in some cases, bromine) and pH (alkalinity) levels. While this may be a reasonable indicator of whether the tested water is hospitable to bacteria, it does NOT measure bacteria.

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