Water Types for Your In-Ground Pool
Adding an in-ground pool to your backyard has become more popular than ever. Homeowners are looking for ways to maximize the value of their home and add some entertainment. Avoiding the public pools for your own at-home pool makes it easy to relax. Plus, you feel better knowing your kids are swimming in a safe environment.
When you invest in an at-home pool, you also have the power to choose what type of water to select for your personal pool. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of water available for your pool and how to decide the right fit for your home.
Related Content: FAQ: In-Ground Pool Construction Process, Budget, and Timeline
Water Types for Your In-Ground Pool
Chlorine
As the classic pool water option, chlorine still presents the most popular option for pools. It kills bacteria well and also helps keep the pool clean throughout the summer. Chlorine water is achieved through three types of products: liquid chlorine, chlorine tablets, and granular chlorine. It’s easy to buy in bulk, which can make them a cost-effective choice for homeowners. Although, it does need a lot of maintenance and the chlorine levels should be checked weekly. If the chemical levels are too high or it doesn’t have enough time to settle, it can irritate the skin and dehydrate it quickly.
Saltwater
While homeowners may think this option compares to ocean water, it’s actually completely different. Saltwater gets the name from the way it uses pool salt to cleanse the pool instead of pure chlorine. Once added to the water, the salts will produce sodium chloride naturally. It keeps the pool clean with fewer chemicals, which can do wonders for your skin if chlorine pools irritate it. It’s said that saltwater pools are softer to swim through, and it can make swimming more fun. However, it should be noted how the salt can damage pool equipment because of their corrosive attributes.
Mineral
Like saltwater, pools filled with mineral water are said to be softer and less irritating on the skin. It uses specific minerals to sanitize the water such as magnesium, copper, silver, or zinc, to name a few. However, those are often not enough to fully cleanse, and small amounts of chlorine are also included for proper sanitization. As a bonus, this pool water type is less harsh on pool equipment compared to saltwater and does not corrode.
Choosing the Right Type of Water
Let’s take a look at the three options side-by-side, so you can get a bigger picture of how they stack up.
| Water Type | Pros | Cons |
| Chlorine | Most common & cost-effective; kills bacteria well; easy to find & use. | Requires weekly maintenance; can irritate skin if levels are too high. |
| Saltwater | Gentler on skin; fewer chemicals; soft, smooth feel while swimming. | Can corrode pool equipment; higher upfront cost for salt systems. |
| Mineral | Skin-friendly; low chemical use; gentler on equipment than saltwater. | Still needs some chlorine; minerals alone aren’t enough for sanitation. |
For most homeowners, chlorine is still going to be the best option. It’s easy to source, and it’s effective at sanitization. This is a high priority if you’re going to be hosting and inviting people over to use your pool. However, saltwater and mineral are ideal for smaller pools, hot tubs, or homeowners who aren’t going to regularly entertain large groups in their backyard.
Our experts are happy to discuss all of the features you want for your in-ground pool and what pool water types work best for your budget. Outdoor Innovations has been in business since 2007 and can handle the entire pool construction project from design to installation.
Where to Get In-Ground Pool Installation Services in Minnesota
Outdoor Innovations Landscaping aims to make your lounging and swimming experience unique to your wants and needs. Whether you value a high-end swim-up tiki bar, comfortably chic lounge locations in every corner, or a fun-dominated in-ground pool complete with slides and waterfalls, we can do it all. Our in-ground pool installation experts at Outdoor Innovations Landscaping love bringing your ideas to life, and we’ve proudly been doing so since 2007.
Contact us if you’d like to talk about upgrading your backyard with a pool.
Outdoor Innovations Landscaping creates elevated backyards for homeowners in Minnesota. From in-ground pools to luxurious grilling stations to outdoor living rooms, we do it all. Explore our past projects and get a quote online to make your dream backyard a reality.
