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wATER qUALITY ANd MAINTENANcE
IMPORTANT: Always keep spa covered when not in use (whether it is empty or full).
It’simportanttohavecleanwater.Watermaintenanceisoneofthemostimportantareasofspaownership.Yourdealercanguideyouthroughthe
processofachievingandmaintainingperfectwaterinyourspa,givenyourlocalconditions;hereisoursuggestedstep-by-stepprogram.
IMPORTANT: See “Water Terminology” section found later in this chapter to help you better understand chemical terms.
Yourprogramwilldependonyourwater’smineralcontent,howoftenyouuseyourspa,andhowmanypeopleuseit.
Watkins has developed the EverFresh
®
water care system for its spas, which is an alternative to using an entirely chlorine-based system. This
system uses silver ions, ozone, and an oxidizer (monopersulfate or MPS) and dichlor to sanitize the spa. It includes the Clean Screen Pre-Filter,
the FreshWater
®
III high output ozone system, and the FreshWater
Ag
+
®
silver ion purifier.
gENERAl INFORMATION
THE THREE FUNDAMENTAL AREAS OF WATER MAINTENANCE:
• Water Filtration •
• Water Sanitation
Water sanitation is the responsibility of the spa owner, achieved through the regular and periodic (daily, if necessary) addition of an approved
sanitizer. The sanitizer will chemically control the bacteria and viruses present in the fill water or introduced during use of the spa. Bacteria and
viruses can grow quickly in undersanitized spa water.
Thewater’schemicalbalanceandpHcontrolarealsotheresponsibilityofthespaowner.Youwillhavetoaddchemicalstomaintainproperlevels
of Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH) and pH. Proper water balance and pH control will minimize scale buildup and metal corrosion,
extend the life of the spa, and allow the sanitizer to work at maximum efficiency.
METHOdS FOR TESTINg THE SPA WATER
Accurate water testing and analysis are important parts of effectively maintaining your spa water. You must have the ability to test for:
• TotalAlkalinity(TA) • pH
• CalciumHardness(CH) • Sanitizer
Two types of testing methods are recognized and recommended by Watkins:
Test Strips areaconvenienttestingmethodusedbymanyspaowners.Keepinmindthatteststripsaresusceptibletoheatandmoisture
contamination, which will result in inaccurate readings.
is a method which provides a high level of accuracy.
IMPORTANT: AlwaysreadandcarefullyfollowthedirectionsincludedwiththeTestKitorTestStripstoensuretheaccuracyofthetestresults.
BASIC CHEMICAL SAFETY
When using chemicals, read the labels carefully and follow directions precisely. Though chemicals protect you and your spa when used correctly,
they can be hazardous in concentrated form. Always observe the following guidelines:
• Allowonlyaresponsiblepersontohandlespachemicals.
• Accuratelymeasuretheexactquantitiesspecified,nevermore.Donotoverdoseyourspa.
• Handleallcontainerswithcare.Storeinacool,dry,wellventilatedplace.
• Alwayskeepchemicalcontainersclosedwhennotinuse.Replacecapsontheirpropercontainers.
• Don’tinhalefumes,orallowchemicalstocomeincontactwithyoureyes,nose,ormouth.Washyourhandsimmediatelyafteruse.
• Followtheemergencyadviceontheproductlabelincaseofaccidentalcontact,orifthechemicalisswallowed.Calladoctororthelocal
Poison Control Center. If a doctor is needed, take the product container along with you so that the substance can be identified.
• Don’tletchemicalsgetonsurroundingsurfacesorlandscaping.Don’tuseavacuumcleanertocleanupchemicalspills.
• Neversmokearoundchemicals.Somefumescanbehighlyflammable.
• Don’tstoreanychemicalsinthespaequipmentcompartment.
HOW TO ADD CHEMICALS TO THE WATER
IMPORTANT: All spa water chemicals, including granulated dichlor, MPS, granulated pH increaser or decreaser, granulated total alkalinity
increaser, calcium hardness increaser, liquid stain and scale inhibitor, and liquid defoamer must always be added directly into the filter compartment
while the jet pump is running in high speed mode, and it must run for a minimum of ten minutes.
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Water Quality and Maintenance
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