Pool Solutions C-5 (Updated)

An effective treatment Cryptosporidium in Swimming Pools.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause serious health problems such as Diarrhoea, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal cramps and Fever. If the affected person has a weakened immune system the infection is more severe and may be fatal.

The usual cause of contamination is by a loose (liquid) bowel movement into the pool water. C.Parvum oocysts are best treated by a combination of chemical treatment (inactivation) and filtration (removal). The effectiveness of removal by filtration will depend on the efficiency of the filtration system (filter media/ filter bed depth, condition/ filtration rate etc.). Coagulation will assist in optimizing the filtration of Oocysts.

The efficiency of chlorine by itself is subject to debate around the world. The use of additional systems such as U.V and Ozone may greatly enhance the results.
NSW Health Guidelines recommend Superchlorination as a means if inactivation.
A CT value (Free chlorine (mg/L) x Time (minutes) ) of at least 8400 must be achieved in order to inactivate 99.9% of Oocysts. This equates to a Free Chlorine reading of 10mg/l for 14 hours or 20mg/L for 7 hours. (e.g. 10 x 14 x (60 minutes) = 8400

Following this chemical treatment and prior to re-opening the pool all filters should be backwashed to remove Oocysts and then the Chlorine residual should be reduced to normal levels by the addition of Sodium Thiosulphate. An alternative method that is also recommended by Health Departments around the world is the use of Chlorine Dioxide. This may be used as both a preventative and an in-activator of existing Oocysts. It is generally accepted that a CT value of just 100 (using Chlorine Dioxide) will result in the inactivation of 99.9% of Oocysts.

Pool Solutions C-5 is a Chlorine Dioxide precursor which when activated will form Chlorine Dioxide in the pool water. In the case of a suspected outbreak of Cryptosporidium we recommend a Chlorine Dioxide level of 1ppm be maintained for a period of at least 2 hours (CT 1 x 2 x 60 (minutes) = 120 Normal chlorination levels (1-3ppm) should be maintained . At the end of this period all filters should be backwashed to remove Oocysts.

NOTE: NO neutralization of Chlorine / Chlorine Dioxide is necessary.