Will Bromine Kill All Bacteria, Living Organisms And Other Contaminants In My Pool?

Bromine itself is a sanitizer and disinfectant for water; it contains a medium in order to oxidize water. By sanitizing, bromine will kill all bacteria, living organisms, and other pollutants (dirt, debris, and algae spores) that are found in water. By disinfecting, bromine will kill all potential disease-carrying capabilities of these bacteria, living organisms, and other contaminates. But, bromine itself has no ability to oxidize-ability to combine with, in order to kill, these invaders, primarily the ammonia that is found in water.

Like chlorine, bromine is very successful at killing bacteria, living organisms, and other contaminates (dirt, debris and algae spores), but when ammonia is present, bromine will combine with it, but can’t successfully kill it, and the 2 combine to form "Bromamines." Bromamines will remain in the pool water, and will register as bromine, but they aren’t as effective at sanitizing, disinfecting, or oxidizing as is standard bromine; unlike chloramines, bromamines are at least slightly effective at continuing to sanitize, disinfect, and oxidize.

Ammonia is commonly present in swimming pool water from either environmental factors, a buildup of fertilizers that are carried by wind and dropped into pools, from swimmer wastes (perspiration, urine, saliva and body oils), or even from some suntan lotions. No matter how ammonia enters a swimming pool, it will exist.

NOTE: Bromine will combine with, but can’t successfully kill, ammonia by itself. For this reason, you must shock your swimming pool on a regular basis.

NOTE: climate (which differs from region-to-region) and bather load (which differs from pool-to-pool) do determine how often you have to test and adjust your chemicals.