What does pH measure in pool water?

pH is a scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of water. In the context of pool water, it indicates how acidic or alkaline the water is, with a scale ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, below 7 indicates acidity, and above 7 indicates alkalinity.

Maintaining the proper pH level in pool water is critical as it affects the comfort of swimmers, the efficacy of chlorine for disinfection, and the overall health of the pool environment. If the pH is too low (acidic), it can lead to corrosion of pool equipment and irritation of the skin and eyes. Conversely, if the pH is too high (alkaline), it can cause scaling on surfaces and reduce the effectiveness of sanitizers.

The other options refer to different aspects of water quality. Clarity measures how clear the water appears, temperature indicates how warm or cold the water is, and total dissolved solids reflect the concentration of various substances dissolved in the water. While all these factors are important for overall water quality, they do not define the pH level, which specifically addresses the balance of acids and bases in the water.