The Disadvantages of Pool Ionization

Chlorine Still Required

• While pool ionization reduces the need for chlorine, it does not eliminate it entirely. If your pool is used heavily throughout the season, you will need to treat the water with additional chlorine. A pool ionizer can kill pathogens in the water, but it cannot oxidize organic material. As a result, dirt, berries, leaves, pollutants from the air and other organic materials can linger in the water, so it becomes cloudy and the water chemistry is affected.

Must Run Pump Continuously

• Pool ionization requires charged water to constantly move through the ionizer so the electrodes can attract the germs and bacteria. As a result, you must run your pool pump 24 hours a day to ensure the water is always sanitized and contaminants don't have a chance to build up. However, running your pump continuously can put a strain on your electricity bill and strain the system.

Must Monitor TDS

• One of the chemical levels that must occasionally be tested in a pool is the total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS measures the amount of unfilterable solids present in the water, such as body wastes, dirt, pollen, chlorine, algaecide and other chemicals. For your ionizer to work effectively, your pool's TDS level should measure below 1,000 parts per million (ppm). If the TDS level is higher, it can inhibit the ionizer's ability to sanitize, because the water may be more conductive, preventing the ionization process from working effectively. As a result, you must check your pool's TDS level on a weekly basis to maintain the proper level. With a traditional chlorine pool, it usually is sufficient to check it only two or three times a season.

Stains

• Because ionization utilizes metals such as copper and silver, the water may leave green stains on your pool's plaster. It also may stain white plastic surfaces, such as pool fittings or accessories. Swimmers, particularly those with light-colored hair, may notice their hair takes on a green tint. Your nail beds may become discolored as well.

Cost

• While you can save money by cutting back on chlorine use with an ionizer, the cost of pool ionization may still be too steep for some budgets. The initial investment for the ionizer is fairly modest, with the cost of an ionizer for a 40,000-gallon pool averaging about $300, according to House Logic. However, you likely will need to replace the ionizer's metals once a summer, which can cost over $100. In addition, the increase in your energy costs due to running your pump continuously can quickly add up.