If swimmers complain of a chlorine odor, how is it best removed?

Chlorine odor in swimming pools is often an indicator of combined chlorine, which is formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter such as sweat, urine, and other contaminants introduced by swimmers. This compound can produce a strong, unpleasant smell that may be mistaken for chlorine itself.

The effective way to address the chlorine odor is through breakpoint chlorination, also known as shocking the pool. This process involves adding a sufficient amount of chlorine to the pool water to raise the free chlorine level significantly above the combined chlorine level. The added chlorine reacts with the combined chlorine, breaking it down and converting it into harmless byproducts. This not only eliminates the odor but also improves water clarity and safety by reducing potential irritants for swimmers.

The other options do not directly address the root cause of the odor. Allowing time for the odor to disappear without intervention is unlikely to solve the issue, as combined chlorine levels may remain high. Adding soda ash can raise the pH level of the water, which does not specifically target the combined chlorine problem. Backwashing the filters can help remove debris and contaminants from the filtering system, but it will not eliminate the combined chlorine present in the pool water itself. Thus, breakpoint chlorination stands out as the best solution for removing chlorine odor effectively