It's the growing popularity of non-chlorine water treatments, according to Michelle Mader, director of marketing with Earth Science Laboratories, Inc. of Bella Vista, Arkansas. In recent years, a half dozen or so different products have been developed to treat residential pool water without chlorine. Earth Science Laboratories, Inc. manufactures PristineBlue, a chlorine alternative that has averaged 50 percent annual sales gains for the past five years. PristineBlue uses cupric ions, a biologically active form of copper, to kill algae and bacteria in the water. While chlorine remains an effective water treatment chemical, its caustic qualities have driven many pool owners to search for alternatives.
Chlorine irritates eyes and skin, bleaches swimwear and shortens the life of vinyl pool liners.
It's hazardous to store and handle, can corrode pool equipment, and its harmful effects to human health and the environment are well-documented. Chlorine alternatives like PristineBlue are safe, effective, much less labor-intensive, and cost about the same as chlorine. Unlike chlorine, which often requires daily applications, chlorine alternatives are generally added to the water weekly or every two weeks, according to Mader. As the public becomes more aware of chlorine-alternatives, the sales of water treatments such as PristineBlue should continue to rise, according to Mader. Now consumers have choices, and many are choosing alternatives such as PristineBlue.