What effect does higher water temperature have on chlorine's effectiveness?

Higher water temperatures have a significant impact on chlorine's effectiveness, leading to a decrease in its ability to sanitize and disinfect pool water. As the temperature of the water rises, the rate of chlorine consumption increases, primarily because warmer water promotes chemical reactions more rapidly. This means that chlorine is utilized more quickly, resulting in less free available chlorine to effectively kill bacteria and other contaminants in the pool.

Additionally, elevated temperatures can accelerate the breakdown of chlorine due to increased evaporation and volatility. Under these conditions, pool operators must be vigilant and may need to adjust the chlorine levels more frequently to ensure satisfactory sanitation. While some factors, like water chemistry and chlorine type, also play a role, generally, higher temperatures correlate with lower efficiency in chlorine's disinfection capabilities.