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We have always been taught that pH controls the strength of chlorine. And that's true, except when cyanuric acid is in the water too. CYA changes the entire dynamic. Fair warning, this topic is controversial and contrarian to most textbooks and industry beliefs. But it is backed in science that we will cite in this article. Buckle up.
Our Fourth and final Pillar is to minimize cyanuric acid (CYA). Maintaining CYA at a manageable level can be a struggle, and we realize that. But CYA has a major impact on chlorine efficiency. It can be summarized in two words: avoid over-stabilization. This article will explain what CYA is, why we use it, how it gets into our water, and how to manage it to prevent over-stabilization.
High levels of Cyanuric Acid (CYA) in pool water can cause issues. That's why Minimal CYA is Orenda's Fourth Pillar of Proactive Pool Care.
And yet, we encounter many people that are hesitant to drain—or even dilute—their pool to reduce CYA levels. Perhaps there are valid reasons—costs, structural risks, labor, environmental concerns—for not draining high CYA pool water. That being said, draining and/or diluting water is still the most economical way to lower CYA levels in a pool.
In the event of an Accidental Fecal Release (AFR), the CDC has published a recommended limit to Cyanuric Acid (CYA) at 15ppm for commercial swimming pools. The vast majority of outdoor pools in America have far more than 15 ppm of CYA already, so what can be done?