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Go back Alternatives to chemical chlorine seek to reduce odors, irritation, and waste while maintaining effective disinfection. The most common systems are ultraviolet (UV) light, advanced electrolysis (Neolysis), and salt chlorination.
Each system is suited to different uses: families seeking comfort (salt), sensitive users (UV or Neolysis), or seasonal pools that require automation and low maintenance.
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Close formIf your eyes sting, you notice a strong smell in the water, or you simply want a gentler swim for your skin, it’s normal to consider alternatives to chlorine. Today, there are technologies that reduce (or even eliminate) the direct dosing of chemical chlorine and offer a more comfortable swimming experience. In this clear and practical guide, you’ll see when it’s worth switching and which option is best for you.
Why look for alternatives to chlorine
- Bathing comfort: less odor, less eye and skin irritation, and a “softer” feel to the water.
- Easier chemical handling: less transport and storage of drums.
- Sustainability and efficiency: systems that optimize product and energy consumption.
- Regulations and safety: in private pools, it is sufficient to keep the water disinfected; this does not always mean continuously adding chlorine if you use effective complementary technologies.
Helpful tip: if your current problem is a temporary excess of disinfectant, before changing systems, learn how to safely lower the chlorine level and check the ideal chlorine levels for your type of pool.
Most commonly used systems
UV: how it works and maintenance
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection exposes the water to a UV lamp in the filtration circuit. The radiation inactivates bacteria, viruses, and algae by damaging their DNA.
Advantages:
- Drastically reduces chloramines (bad odor and irritation).
- Improves water clarity.
Things to consider:
- Leaves no “residual” in the pool. For safety reasons, a minimum (low) residual amount of disinfectant is usually maintained in the water.
- Maintenance: quartz cleaning, lamp replacement (usually annually or according to hours of service), and flow rate verification.
Neolysis / advanced electrolysis
Under the umbrella of advanced electrolysis (often referred to as Neolysis), processes such as low salinity electrolysis, copper/controlled ionization, and advanced oxidation are combined. The goal is to maximize disinfection with fewer added chemicals and a very stable residual.
Advantages:
- Very pleasant and stable water, with less by-product generation.
- High automation: sensors and controllers adjust production as needed.
What to consider:
- Requires professional installation and proper tuning (conductive salinity adjustment when applicable).
- Maintenance: inspection of electrolysis cells, light cleaning of electrodes when necessary, and parameter control.
Salt chlorination (less chemical handling)
Salt chlorination transforms salt dissolved in water (low concentrations) into hypochlorite through electrolysis.
Advantages:
- No more handling of chlorine drums; the equipment “produces” the disinfectant.
- Softer water feel; reduction of chloramines.
Things to consider:
- It is still chlorine, but generated on site and more stable.
- Maintenance: salinity and pH control and cell cleaning (depending on water hardness). Automation with pH/ORP control greatly simplifies this.
| System | Initial investment | Maintenance | Residual chemicals in the pool | Bathing experience |
| UV | Average | Low–medium (annual lamp) | Low (generally kept to a minimum) | Very comfortable, less odor |
| Neolysis / advanced electrolysis | Medium–high | Low–medium (cells and control) | Very low and stable | Very pleasant water, high stability |
| Salt chlorination | Medium | Medium (cell, pH) | Yes (chlorine generated on site) | Smooth, simplified management |
The quality of filtration, hydraulics, water balance (pH, alkalinity, hardness), and the use of covers have as much or more influence than the system chosen.
Who is each alternative for?
- Family pools seeking comfort and simplicity: salt chlorination with automatic pH/ORP control.
- Sensitive users (skin/eyes) or those who want to minimize by-products: UV or Neolysis as the main treatment, maintaining a low and stable residual.
- Pools with irregular seasonal use: automated systems (Neolysis or salt with control) that adapt to flow and solar radiation.
- Lovers of “crystal clear water” and minimal odor: UV as a complement to the lowest possible residual.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does salt chlorination eliminate chlorine completely?
No. Salt generates chlorine within the circuit itself. The difference is that you do not handle liquid or granulated chlorine and its production is more stable. This reduces odors and chloramines if the pH is well controlled.
Does UV replace or complement chlorine?
UV disinfects as it passes through the chamber, but does not remain in the water. For safety and local regulations, a low residual amount of disinfectant (chlorine or others) is usually maintained in the pool. Think of UV as a great complement that allows you to work with fewer chemicals and better water quality.
Which alternative requires less maintenance?
In general, automated systems (Neolysis or salt chlorination with pH/ORP control) reduce visits and manual adjustments. UV requires little work (changing the lamp and cleaning the quartz), but remember that you will always need to monitor the pH and the minimum residual.
If you are considering alternatives to chlorine, the smartest move is to combine good filtration, automatic pH control, and a disinfection technology that suits your actual use. At Fluidra, we have been designing solutions that prioritize water health, efficiency, and bathing comfort for decades. Our ecosystem of equipment and controllers makes caring for your pool easier, more sustainable, and, above all, more enjoyable for everyone. Ready to enjoy water that you can feel… but not smell?