By Terry Arko

1/ The earth comprises 75 per cent water.

2/ Ninety-seven per cent is salt water and is contained in the oceans.

3/ Of the remaining three per cent that is fresh water, two per cent is unavailable as it is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps.

4/ Technically, only one per cent of the earth’s water is fresh and available for drinking, agriculture, food processing, power generation, cleansing, sewage transport and filling hot tubs/swimming pools.

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By Terry Arko

Has the hot tub industry started to address these issues of simplicity and conservation? Walking into any independent hot tub dealer could lead to answering this question with a ‘no,’ as one will still see a multitude of chemicals, which can cause confusion among incipient hot tub owners.

However, there have been some breakthroughs, including new multi-use chemicals and sanitizer-type devices (e.g. ozone and UV), which minimize the need for solid or granular disinfectants.

Other hot water maintenance innovations include mineral sanitizer systems and natural alternatives (e.g. seaweed enzyme extract), which reduce the need for chlorine and extends the life of the water and lengthens the period between draining.

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If hot tub draining requirements were reduced to once per year, it would result in a savings of more than 21 billion litres (5.5 billion gallons of water. Photo by Jason Cramp

By Terry Arko

The hot tub industry has ridden the wave of multiple hot water chemical programs without really focusing on the need for conservation. Today, however, numerous manufacturers have made strides in both water treatment and preservation by incorporating new technologies and treatment systems into their hot tubs.

Some examples that are currently being employed include no-bypass filtration (i.e. all water passes through the filter before it enters the hot tub), factory-installed ozone systems, which use highly concentrated ozone bubbles to neutralize contaminants on contact, while also reducing the need for additional chemicals and lengthening the amount of time between cleanings. Some manufacturers say these additional water care features can reduce the need to drain hot tub water from four to two times per year.

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By Terry Arko

The hot tub industry needs to look at different ways to deal with water maintenance in the units that are sold and/or serviced. For years, everything in water care has been dealt with on a reactive basis with the first reaction for any type of problem usually involving the addition of chemicals.

Perhaps a new approach should be considered. For example, instead of adding more chemicals or additives to solve water problems, additional technologies need to be developed, which remove contaminates and make the water more pure. Or, rather than using sanitizers that are sodium-based liquids, or granules/tablets that dissolve, a biocide could be used instead to kill germs in the water on contact. This could exist in a filter or a device within the plumbing that disinfects the water as it passes through.

Further, the development of a portable reverse osmosis unit for hot tubs, which would be capable of removing solids and bringing water back to a more pristine state, could also help in reducing the frequency of draining.

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The hot tub industry needs to look at different ways to deal with water maintenance in the units that are sold and/or serviced. Photo courtesy Evosus.™

By Terry Arko

When asking consumers why they purchased their hot tub, typical responses would include: stress relief, relaxation, physical therapy or health or simply family fun. The one thing they would never say is they bought it to practice water chemistry.

Today, consumers are becoming more resistant to maintenance programs that involve measuring and adding a variety of products to a bucket and waiting to pour the concoction into the water—this is the era of blister-packaged dishwashing soap and one-cup coffee packs. When considering maintenance programs for hot tubs, the industry must find ways to incorporate simplicity into the system as consumers are demanding it.

Read the full article: Soaking In A Limited Resource