Map of the Rio Grande River. Will Rogers once described the Rio Grande as âthe only river I know of that is in need of irrigating,â a prescient observation considering how fragmented this fabled river has become.
Low pH (acidic water) can also corrode metal parts of a pool system and damage the plaster finish. The State standard for pH is 7.2 â 8.0 (Recommended range 7.4â7.6). To lower the pH, muriatic (hydrochloric) acid must be added. It is advisable to add the desired amount of acid to a full (plastic) bucket of water before adding to the pool. (Acid introduced directly can stain the pool wall.) To raise the pH, soda ash (sodium carbonate) must be added. ALKALINITY Alkaline (basic) substances are present in all water. Within the 7.2â7.8 pH range, alkalinity exists as a bicarbonate material.
The pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ion in the pool water and is scaled from zero to 14. Optimum pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.6 -- lower levels indicate your water is too acidic, while higher levels indicate the water is too basic. Balancing the pH involves adding chemicals to your pool water.