LaMotte Pool Manager Water Quality Handbook - Manual (Page 12)

Water Balance
Water balance is defined as a condition where the water
is neither corrosive nor scale forming. The factors in
determining water balance include pH, total alkalinity,
calcium hardness, temperature, and total dissolved solids
(TDS).
Since water in motion tends to be corrosive, water
balance is very important within the pool. To avoid
corrosive conditions which can etch pool surfaces and
mechanical parts, maintain all water quality factors
within the proper range. Proper levels allow the water to
become saturated, or non-corrosive, a key goal for
prolonged trouble-free pool operation. When pool water
becomes oversaturated with dissolved substances,
especially calcium salts (primarily calcium carbonate),
these substances fall out of solution and can make the
water cloudy or deposit on
pool surfaces. This is called
scale and is a menace to
pool surfaces and plumbing
fixtures, clogging water
lines and filters.
As water balance is so
important in maintaining
the pool surfaces and parts,
it constantly needs to be
monitored with test
equipment.
10
Corrosive
Balanced
Scale Forming
Pipe diagram