POOL WATER TESTING AND CHEMICAL
ADJUSTMENTS- CHAPTER 7 -
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
The Pennsylvania Health Code requires:
- Disinfectant level and pH be tested a minimum of __________ a day
- The pH test kit be accurate to within ______ pH units
- The test for chlorine use DPD reagents and be accurate within ______ ppm - Answer--
twice (per day)
- 0.2 (pH units)
- 0.1 (ppm)
According to the Model Aquatic Health code, disinfectant and pJ levels should be
tested... - Answer-PRIOR to opening to the public and at least every 2hrs for pools +
spas that do NOT have automatic controllers
Cannot exceed very 4 hrs for pools that have automatic controllers
Too little disinfectant can lead to: - Answer-- Illness from waterborne pathogens
- The buildup of chloramines (can cause respiratory or eye irritation)
- Unpleasant smell of chlorine
- Hazy or cloudy water
- Algae growth
5 basic types of testing - Answer-1. Visual colorimetric or color comparison tests (pH,
chlorine, bromine)
2. Digital colorimetric tests (pH, chlorine, bromine)
3. Titrimetricor drop count tests (chlorine, bromine, total alkalinity, calcium hardness)
4. Turbidimetric tests (formation of cloudy reactions for testing cyanuric acid)
, 5. Electrodes (oxidation reduction potential/ORP, pH, TDS)
T/F: The quality of test kits varies considerably - Answer-TRUE
Record keeping - Answer-Test results MUST be recorded on a permanent record sheet.
These must be kept at the facility for at least 2 years
T/F: The first test of the day should be before swimmers enter the water - Answer-TRUE
General guidelines that apply to ALL chemical testing - Answer-1. Test the water
frequently (before opening, hourly for busy pool)
2. Follow the manufacturer's procedures
3. Wash hands before collecting samples
4. Get a sample that is representative of the pool water (do not collect near inlet, "grab"
sample from at least 18 inches under surface)
5. Rinse vials used several times
6. Hold the reagent dropper vertically
7. Use the caps provided, swirl slowly. Do NOT vigorously shake samples
8. Read sample by holding it at eye level. Use daylight or white paper as background
(NOT fluorescent lighting)
9. Rinse all equipment. Do NOT rinse droppers or reagent bottles or let the droppers
touch pool water
10. Dispose of sample in proper waste receptacle or drain. Do NOT return sample to
pool
11. Store the test kit out of the sun in a cool, clean, and dry place (A lifeguard station is
NOT an acceptable place to store kits because the kits are in the heat and humidity and
most times in direct sunlight)
12. Do NOT interchange parts. Chemicals from one company are not compatible with
chemicals from another
Phenol red - Answer-Reagent used for testing the pH of pool water
Limited to pH levels between 6.8 - 8.2. Reading cannot be obtained if the pH is out of
this range
ADJUSTMENTS- CHAPTER 7 -
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
The Pennsylvania Health Code requires:
- Disinfectant level and pH be tested a minimum of __________ a day
- The pH test kit be accurate to within ______ pH units
- The test for chlorine use DPD reagents and be accurate within ______ ppm - Answer--
twice (per day)
- 0.2 (pH units)
- 0.1 (ppm)
According to the Model Aquatic Health code, disinfectant and pJ levels should be
tested... - Answer-PRIOR to opening to the public and at least every 2hrs for pools +
spas that do NOT have automatic controllers
Cannot exceed very 4 hrs for pools that have automatic controllers
Too little disinfectant can lead to: - Answer-- Illness from waterborne pathogens
- The buildup of chloramines (can cause respiratory or eye irritation)
- Unpleasant smell of chlorine
- Hazy or cloudy water
- Algae growth
5 basic types of testing - Answer-1. Visual colorimetric or color comparison tests (pH,
chlorine, bromine)
2. Digital colorimetric tests (pH, chlorine, bromine)
3. Titrimetricor drop count tests (chlorine, bromine, total alkalinity, calcium hardness)
4. Turbidimetric tests (formation of cloudy reactions for testing cyanuric acid)
, 5. Electrodes (oxidation reduction potential/ORP, pH, TDS)
T/F: The quality of test kits varies considerably - Answer-TRUE
Record keeping - Answer-Test results MUST be recorded on a permanent record sheet.
These must be kept at the facility for at least 2 years
T/F: The first test of the day should be before swimmers enter the water - Answer-TRUE
General guidelines that apply to ALL chemical testing - Answer-1. Test the water
frequently (before opening, hourly for busy pool)
2. Follow the manufacturer's procedures
3. Wash hands before collecting samples
4. Get a sample that is representative of the pool water (do not collect near inlet, "grab"
sample from at least 18 inches under surface)
5. Rinse vials used several times
6. Hold the reagent dropper vertically
7. Use the caps provided, swirl slowly. Do NOT vigorously shake samples
8. Read sample by holding it at eye level. Use daylight or white paper as background
(NOT fluorescent lighting)
9. Rinse all equipment. Do NOT rinse droppers or reagent bottles or let the droppers
touch pool water
10. Dispose of sample in proper waste receptacle or drain. Do NOT return sample to
pool
11. Store the test kit out of the sun in a cool, clean, and dry place (A lifeguard station is
NOT an acceptable place to store kits because the kits are in the heat and humidity and
most times in direct sunlight)
12. Do NOT interchange parts. Chemicals from one company are not compatible with
chemicals from another
Phenol red - Answer-Reagent used for testing the pH of pool water
Limited to pH levels between 6.8 - 8.2. Reading cannot be obtained if the pH is out of
this range
