How do saltwater pools work?

While freshwater pools rely on chlorine to disinfect the water and keep it free from algae, bacteria and other organisms that can be damaging to our health, saltwater pools use an electrolytic chlorine generator or ECG. This generator separates salt in the pool water into two primary elements, one of which is chlorine. This is then circulated around the pool to sanitise it.

The main advantage of this process is that it doesn’t produce chloramines which is an irritating by-product of store-bought chlorine. These chloramines are what give the water in swimming pools that distinctive chlorine smell and can sting your eyes.