What to know before buying swimming pool salt
More and more homeowners are opting for salt electrolysis systems to disinfect their swimming pool water. And it’s easy to see why: electrolysis converts swimming pool salt into chlorine without the unpleasant smell or stinging eyes, leaving you with clean, fresh water.
⚠️ Important: Not all types of salt are suitable for pool disinfection. Using the wrong salt can damage your pool or equipment.
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Does Swimming Pool Salt Affect Your Pool?
European standard EN 16401 defines strict requirements for swimming pool salt, specifically for pools treated with an electrochlorinator. These include:
- Purity: Salt must contain at least 99.4% sodium chloride (NaCl)
- Heavy metals: Limits are set for copper, iron, magnesium, and other metals
- Additives: Salt must be free from anti-caking agents (E535 or E536) and iodine
Failure to meet these standards may damage your electrochlorinator or leave stains on your pool surfaces and equipment.
Has Swimming Pool Salt Been Tested for Safety?
Salt used in pools is also considered a biocide, meaning it neutralizes harmful organisms. European regulations strictly control biocides to ensure they are safe for use. Pool salt must be free from:
- Carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive-toxic substances
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
- Persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBT)
- Highly persistent and highly bioaccumulative substances (vPvB)
Swimming pool salt that complies with the Biocidal Products Regulation has undergone extensive safety testing and can be used with confidence. Conversely, unregistered swimming pool salt is now banned in Europe.
✅ Using the right pool salt ensures optimal chlorine production, protects your equipment, and keeps your swimming pool safe, clean, and enjoyable.
