Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Environmental Health
Recreational Waters Program
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
(626) 430-5360
Fax: (626) 813-3016
Email:
rhealth@ph.lacounty.gov
RECREATIONAL WATERS PROGRAM
Recommended Chemical Levels in Swimming Pools and Spas
Minimum
Ideal
Maximum
Free chlorine residual
2.0
2.0 - 3.0
10.0
Free chlorine residual with stabilizer
2.5
2.5 -3.5
10.0
Combined chlorine
0
0
0.5
Bromine
4.5
4.5 - 6.5
11.0
pH
7.2
7.4 - 7.6
7.8
Cyanuric acid
25
30 - 50
100
Total alkalinity
80
100 - 150
180
Calcium Hardness
150
200 - 300
500
Copper
0
0
0.3
Iron
0
0
0.2
Total dissolved solids:
Swimming pools
Spa pools
300
300
-
-
2,000 over start
1,500 over start
All readings are in parts per million.
Note: The legal minimum free chlorine residual in public
pools in California is 1.0 ppm for pools not using stabilizer (cyanuric acid) and 1.5 ppm
for pools using stabilizer.
