Pools in Corsica: Climate, Filtration, and Adapted Technical Solutions
Corsica, with its unique Mediterranean climate and geographical characteristics, offers ideal conditions for enjoying pools but also presents specific challenges for maintaining and managing these installations. The intense sunlight, summer heat, winds carrying fine particles from the Sahara, and the particular characteristics of well water directly influence pool water quality and the equipment needed to ensure proper functioning. In this article, we will explore these specificities and propose adapted solutions for pools in Corsica.
The Corsican Climate: A Key Factor in Pool Maintenance
Corsica’s climate is characterized by hot, dry summers, mild winters, and periods of strong winds, particularly the sirocco, a hot, dry wind from the Sahara that brings fine sand particles to the island. This unique situation directly impacts the region's pools, especially at the beginning of the summer season, when fine particles invade the water.
Fine Saharan Particles: A Filtration Challenge
The fine particles transported by Saharan winds at the start of the season can measure between 1 and 10 microns. These particles, too small to be visible to the naked eye, can accumulate in pool water and present filtration challenges.
Sand filters: Common in Corsica, sand filters typically remove particles down to 33 microns. This means that Saharan sand particles, smaller than this size, can pass through the filter, leaving the water cloudy. While these filters are very effective for larger particles, they may struggle with finer microparticles.
Desjoyaux filter bags: A better solution for Corsican pools is the use of Desjoyaux filter bags, which can capture particles as small as 6 microns. This helps to remove a large portion of the fine particles carried by the wind, keeping the water cleaner and clearer.
Cartridge filtration: Another option is cartridge filters, which can capture particles between 10 and 20 microns, offering an effective compromise between sand filters and filter bags. However, these filters require more frequent maintenance, as the cartridges must be cleaned regularly to maintain efficiency.
Diatomaceous earth filters: The most effective solution for capturing fine particles is diatomaceous earth filters, which can filter particles as small as 2 to 5 microns. These filters use diatomaceous earth, a very fine powder, to create a highly efficient filtration barrier. While they are excellent for dealing with Saharan fine particles, they require more maintenance than other types of filters.
Media filters: Media filters, especially those using recycled glass or other advanced filtration materials, also offer an effective solution for fine particles. For example, glass media filters can capture particles down to 5 microns, making them comparable to diatomaceous filters while requiring less maintenance. They are also more durable than traditional sand filters and improve filtration efficiency, reducing water consumption during backwashing.
Pool Robots: Beware of Filter Quality
Pool robots, commonly used to clean the pool floor, can actually make the situation worse if their filtration system is inadequate. The built-in filters of standard pool robots typically filter particles between 50 and 100 microns, which is insufficient to trap Saharan fine particles. Instead of filtering these particles, the robot may disperse them throughout the water, worsening the cloudiness.
If your pool filter isn’t effectively removing fine particles, a more effective solution is to use a vacuum cleaner while setting the multiport valve to "waste" instead of "filter." This allows you to send the particles directly out of the pool without risking them passing through the filter and returning to the water.
Water Characteristics in Corsica: Limestone, Iron, and Other Specificities
Pool water in Corsica sometimes comes from wells or local sources. It has specific characteristics that can influence treatment:
Limestone water: Well water in Corsica can be high in limestone, meaning it contains elevated levels of calcium carbonate. This can lead to limescale deposits on the pool walls, in the pipes, and in equipment like pumps and filters. Water that is too hard can also make pool pH unstable, requiring frequent adjustments.
Iron content: In certain areas, well water may also be rich in iron, which can cause brown or orange discoloration in the water, especially when it reacts with chemicals like chlorine. This reaction oxidizes the iron, making it visible as deposits or stains on the pool walls.
Chemical Solutions for Limestone and Iron-Rich Water
For limestone water, it is recommended to use sequestrants that prevent scale deposits, such as Mareva’s anti-limescale product, which neutralizes the minerals responsible for water hardness.
As for iron, specific products like metal sequestrants can be used to neutralize metal ions before they cause stains or discoloration in the water. If the pool water has already turned orange due to chlorination, the use of ultra-concentrated active oxygen (36%) can solve the problem. Since this product can only be handled by authorized professionals, contact your pool specialist.
Maintaining a balanced pH is essential to avoid problems related to limestone and iron-rich water. It is recommended to keep the pH between 7 and 7.6, and regularly monitor total alkalinity to ensure stable water.
Heat Pumps with Cooling Function: Keeping an Ideal Temperature to Prevent Bacteria Growth
In Corsica, summer temperatures can easily exceed 35°C, which can quickly raise the pool water temperature. Water that is too warm (above 30°C) encourages the growth of bacteria and algae, making chemical treatments less effective.
A solution is to install a heat pump with a cooling function. This type of pump not only heats the water at the start and end of the season but also cools it during extreme heat. Maintaining water temperature below 30°C is crucial for ensuring optimal disinfection and limiting the development of microorganisms.
The BWT Power Inverter MPI with a cooling function is an excellent choice for Corsican pools. This heat pump automatically adjusts the water temperature according to the needs, ensuring swimming comfort while reducing the risks of bacterial growth.
Why a Salt Electrolyzer is Relevant for Corsican Pools
Using a salt electrolyzer is particularly suited for pools in Corsica for several reasons:
Reduced use of chemicals: The electrolyzer converts dissolved salt in the water into natural chlorine, providing continuous, even disinfection. This reduces the need to manually add chlorine, which is an advantage in regions where pools can quickly turn green as soon as chlorine levels drop due to high temperatures, evaporation, and rapid bacteria growth.
Less irritation and odor: Unlike traditional chlorine, salt electrolysis limits skin and eye irritation, as well as unpleasant chlorine odors, improving the swimming experience.
Ease of maintenance: The electrolyzer operates automatically, simplifying disinfection management. It only requires maintaining a proper salt level and regular cleaning of the electrolytic cell.
The BWT Pro A is a top-tier electrolyzer model, designed to operate optimally under harsh conditions like those in Corsica, ensuring effective disinfection even in high temperatures.
Conclusion: Adapting Your Pool to Corsican Specificities
Between Saharan winds, specific water characteristics, and high summer temperatures, pools in Corsica require special attention in terms of filtration, disinfection, and temperature management. By choosing appropriate equipment, such as fine filter bags, heat pumps with cooling functions, and salt electrolyzers, pool owners in Corsica can enjoy clean, healthy, and pleasant water throughout the season.
Regular maintenance and the use of specific products are essential to maintaining water quality in the face of the island’s unique climatic and environmental challenges.