Disinfection is the most important single factor in maintaining a pool which is safe and healthful.
Chlorine is the most widely applied disinfecting agent for swimming pool water. This solid, white material is available as either a free flowing powder, or tablets. Both types have excellent stability under all normal storage conditions. In use, this material dissolves quickly, releasing free available chlorine which is needed to kill bacteria. This chlorine residual may be achieved by adding one ounce of granular calcium hypochlorite for each 5,000 gallons of pool water.