Ozone Pool System FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about ozone pool treatment and explain how Clear Comfort’s Hydroxyl-Based Advanced Oxidation Process provides a simpler path to effective, low-chlorine pool care.
Is an ozone pool system chlorine-free?
No. Ozone is generally used as a supplemental or secondary treatment system rather than a replacement for chlorine.
Ozone treats water as it passes through the pool’s circulation system, but it does not maintain a lasting disinfectant residual throughout the pool. A chlorine or bromine residual must therefore remain in the water to provide continuous protection.
How do ozone pool systems work?
Ozone systems generate ozone gas, or O₃, using either an electrical process known as corona discharge or ultraviolet light.
The ozone is introduced into the pool’s circulation system, where it reacts with contaminants in the water. It can help oxidize organic material, break down chloramines and inactivate certain chlorine-resistant microorganisms.
Because ozone is a gas and can be harmful when inhaled, properly designed systems must control undissolved ozone and safely destroy or vent excess off-gas.
How is Clear Comfort different from an ozone pool system?
Clear Comfort uses a Hydroxyl-Based Advanced Oxidation Process to create highly reactive hydroxyl radicals rather than generating and injecting ozone gas into the pool system.
Hydroxyl radicals have a higher oxidation potential than ozone and rapidly react with organic contaminants. Clear Comfort also creates a low-level oxidizing residual that continues working beyond the equipment chamber and throughout the pool water.
With proper circulation, balanced water chemistry and appropriate operation, Clear Comfort can help residential pools maintain free chlorine levels around 0.5 ppm or less—among the lowest practical levels for a low-chlorine pool.
Commercial and public pools can reduce chlorine consumption by as much as 80%, depending on the facility, bather load and operating conditions. They must continue to maintain the disinfectant residual required by applicable health codes.
Is ozone safe for pool treatment?
Ozone is an established supplemental water-treatment technology when the system is properly designed, installed and maintained.
However, ozone gas can irritate and damage the respiratory system when inhaled. Ozone pool systems therefore require appropriate ventilation and off-gas controls, which may include an ozone destruct system.
Ozone can help reduce contaminants and chloramines, but the pool must still maintain chlorine or another approved disinfectant residual.
What is an alternative to ozone?
Clear Comfort provides an alternative to ozone-based supplemental treatment and reliance on higher chlorine levels alone.
Its Hydroxyl-Based AOP technology:
- Does not generate or inject ozone gas
- Does not produce chlorine
- Works alongside a low chlorine or saltwater residual
- Helps reduce chlorine demand
- Helps control chloramines and other disinfection byproducts
- Treats contaminants that can be resistant to chlorine alone
- Works with most existing pool systems and equipment
The result is effective pool water treatment with the lowest chlorine levels possible—without adding the equipment and off-gas management associated with an ozone system.
