What is ozone?
Ozone is active oxygen, O3. It occurs naturally in the earth`s atmosphere to protect us from the sun`s harmful rays. Ozone is created in nature by the combination of oxygen in the air and ultraviolet rays of the sun and by the corona discharge during a lightning storm. Oxygen molecules [02] are split by adding energy, resulting in two indivual oxygen atoms [01]; they unite with other molecules [01] + [02] =[03]. The third oxygen atom is held by a very weak single bond and an oxidation reaction occurs upon any collision between an ozone molecule and a molecule of an oxidisable substance. The weak bond splits off leaving oxygen as a byproduct and during the oxidation reaction, organic molecules are changed , dissolved metals are no longer soluble and chloramines and other by-products are broken down.

How is ozone produced for swimming pools and spas?
Ultraviolet [UV] light and Corona Discharge [CD] are the two methods. With CD, ozone is produced by passing air through a high voltage discharge, or corona. Air or concentrated oxygen dried to a minimum of –60oC dew point passes through the corona which causes the 02 bond to split, freeing two [01] atoms which then collide with other [02] molecules to create ozone. CD systems are generally produce about 3-5 times more concentrate than UV units.

What does ozone do?
Ozone is the most powerful oxidizer and disinfectant that can be used safely to purify air and water. In fact it is one of the most powerful alternatives to chemical sanitation. Compared to chlorine, the most common water disinfectant chemical, ozone is a more than 50% stronger oxidizer and acts 3000 times faster. Any pathogen or contaminant that can be disinfected, altered or removed via an oxidation process will be affected by ozone. Ozone has been scientifically proven as an affective broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent in deactivating bacteria, viruses, moulds, spores, cysts, yeast, mildew and fungi. Ozone oxidizes iron, sulphur, manganese, hydrogen sulphate, and eliminates oils and other contaminates in the water. This is why ozone is used by water bottling plants, is used to clean waste water and toxic waste, is used to purify air in hotel rooms and why all Olympic Games Competition Pools have been purified by ozone since 1984. Ozone is pH neutral and will not adversely affect the pH.

Does a swimming pool still need chemicals with ozone?
The answer is yes. Ozone will handle the bulk of sanitizing requirements. However, due to the short life of ozone, a small amount of sanitizer will be required to provide a residual in the water. Because residual levels are so low there is no detectable taste or odour. Normal residual levels are around 0.50ppm to 1.0ppm, thus reducing normal chemical usage by up to 90%. Ozone also works with mineral systems and salt chlorinators and reduces their consumable consumption.