WHY YOUR TOTAL ALKALINITY LEVEL IS SO IMPORTANT

Pool chemistry can feel like a balancing act, and if there’s one level that quietly keeps everything steady, it’s total alkalinity. It doesn’t get as much attention as chlorine or pH, but alkalinity plays a behind-the-scenes role that makes pool care easier, water more comfortable, and equipment longer-lasting.

For pool owners in Australia — where heat, sunlight, and heavy pool use are common — keeping alkalinity in range helps prevent constant chemical adjustments and surprise water issues.

What Alkalinity Actually Does

Total alkalinity measures the water’s ability to resist sudden changes in pH. You can think of it as a buffer that keeps your pool chemistry stable.

Without proper alkalinity, pH levels can swing quickly. One day the water is balanced, the next day it’s irritating to swim in or hard to manage. When alkalinity is correct, pH changes happen slowly and predictably, which makes routine maintenance much simpler.

Why Alkalinity Matters in Everyday Pool Care

It Keeps pH Stable

When alkalinity is too low, pH can bounce up and down rapidly. That makes it harder to keep your water comfortable and safe. When alkalinity is balanced, pH stays steady and requires fewer adjustments.

It Protects Your Equipment

Unbalanced water doesn’t just affect swimmers — it affects your pool system too. Low alkalinity can make water corrosive, which may damage surfaces, metal components, and pipework over time. High alkalinity can cause scaling and cloudy water. Both situations increase maintenance and repair costs.

It Helps Your Sanitiser Work Properly

Chlorine performs best in stable water conditions. When alkalinity is in range, your sanitiser can do its job efficiently instead of fighting constant chemistry changes.

It Makes Water More Comfortable

Balanced alkalinity supports comfortable pH levels. That means less eye irritation, less skin dryness, and a more pleasant swimming experience overall.

What Levels Should Look Like

For most pools, total alkalinity should sit between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm). Staying within this range helps maintain stability without encouraging scale formation.

If levels drift outside this range, other parts of your water balance often follow — which is why alkalinity is usually adjusted before pH during servicing.

Signs Your Alkalinity May Be Out of Balance

You might notice:

• pH levels that are difficult to control

• Cloudy or dull-looking water

• Scaling on surfaces or equipment

• Increased chemical use

• Irritation after swimming

These are common signs that your water is struggling to stay stable.

Keeping Alkalinity in Check

Managing alkalinity is straightforward with regular attention:

• Test your water weekly

• Adjust alkalinity before correcting pH

• Follow recommended dosing amounts carefully

• Maintain a consistent maintenance routine

Small, regular adjustments are far easier than correcting major imbalances later.

The Takeaway

Alkalinity may not be the most talked-about part of pool care, but it quietly keeps everything else working properly. It stabilises your water, protects your equipment, supports effective sanitation, and helps your pool stay clear and comfortable.

When alkalinity is in range, pool care feels predictable. When it isn’t, everything becomes harder than it needs to be. Keeping it balanced is one of the simplest ways to make pool ownership easier and more enjoyable.