Measured Parameters

PoolWaterLAB measures a wide range of pool and spa water parameters. This page lists each parameter and briefly explains what it represents and why it matters for water balance, sanitation, and maintenance.

Sanitizers

Free Chlorine — The active form of chlorine responsible for water disinfection.
Total Chlorine — The combined measurement of free chlorine and chloramine compounds.
Chloramines — Combined chlorine compounds that can cause odor and eye irritation.
Bromine — An alternative sanitizer commonly used in spas and hot tubs.
Chlorine Dioxide — A fast-acting disinfectant used in specific pool and water treatment applications.
Ozone — An oxidizer used in advanced disinfection systems.

Water Balance

pH — Indicates how acidic or basic the water is, affecting comfort and sanitizer efficiency.
Total Alkalinity — Helps buffer pH changes and stabilize water chemistry.
Calcium Hardness — Measures dissolved calcium content related to scaling and corrosion.
Total Hardness — Combined measure of calcium and magnesium hardness.

Stabilizers & Oxidizers

Cyanuric Acid — Stabilizes chlorine and reduces degradation from sunlight.
Active Oxygen — Non-chlorine oxidizer used in alternative sanitation systems.
Hydrogen Peroxide (Low Range) — Oxidizer used in low-concentration applications.
Hydrogen Peroxide (High Range) — Oxidizer measured at higher concentration levels.

Nutrients & Organic Compounds

Phosphate (Low Range) — Nutrient that can promote algae growth at low concentrations.
Phosphate (High Range) — Phosphate measured at elevated concentration levels.
Nitrate — Nutrient often associated with organic contamination.
Ammonia — Can react with chlorine and form chloramines.
Urea — Organic compound introduced by bathers and environmental sources.

Metals

Iron — Can cause staining and discoloration of pool surfaces.
Copper — May lead to staining and hair discoloration.
Zinc — Trace metal sometimes present in source water.
Aluminum — Can be introduced by coagulants or source water.

Specialty Parameters