Hidden Dangers in Water Care

A single drop of water can contain millions of bacteria without becoming cloudy or dull

It looks beautiful. It looks clean. But is it safe? Water is deceptive. You can't trust your eyes. From fresh mountain streams to back-yard hot tubs, when water is visually appealing, we often believe it's perfectly clean. We are often wrong. A single drop of water can hold millions of dangerous bacteria without changing color or becoming cloudy.

Recently, a few people have come into the store explaining how they got crystal clear water in their hot tub by removing chemical sanitizers and using hydrogen peroxide. The claim: peroxide is more natural. It lacks the odor of chlorine or bromine, feels better on the skin. It also breaks back down into regular water.

It’s a tempting idea, and at first glance, it seems to make sense. I was very interested in how peroxide actually interacts with humans, water and bacteria. So I went looking, first to see if the claims these customers made are true or false, then to better understand any issues or problems.

Let’s dive into the science and take a closer look.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide is natural, Chlorine and Bromine are Chemicals. (False)

   
   

   All 3 are found in nature (natural chemicals). To use in a large body of water, all 3 need to be concentrated and compounded into what we traditionally consider a "chemical". Bromine or chlorine tablets / crystals are residential strength compounds (80% - 90%). Hydrogen peroxide is also available in residential strength of 3% - 5% (those little brown bottles), but this strength cannot treat 1000 + liters of water. For this, you need 35% - 40% concentration (a commercial / agricultural grade). It is 1066% stronger than the peroxide we purchase in those little brown bottles. To make the purchase you have to register with official ID, transport with strict safety protocols and use complete PPE during application. Even a single drop of peroxide at this concentration can cause instant skin burns, breach veins, singe lungs. Any contact with eyes is a medical emergency and likely result in permanent eye damage. It is a highly controlled substance.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide breaks down into water, leaving no real trace. (True)

When you use bromine or chlorine in your hot tub they convert into active antibacterials, slowly breaking down into different salts that remains in your water. Peroxide kills living

bacteria instantly, then with similar speed breaks down into water and oxygen.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide keeps your water clean (true and false)

   
   

   The true: Peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent. This will cause water to look very clean and clear. Peroxide is also a powerful oxidizer (it's true use). It instantly shocks, removing biofilm, iron and sulfides (the rotten egg smell in some water). Like shock, it acts quickly and dissolves into water rapidly. So, yes, hydrogen peroxide makes your water clean and will do a thorough scrubbing on it.

   The false: If you add hydrogen peroxide to your hot tub at 8 am, by end of day it is mostly gone. Based on laboratory testing by The National Center for Biotechnology, bacteria in hot water begins to reform 2.4 hours after peroxide is spent, reaching a plateau within 24 hours where billions of bacterial colonies are found in each millimeter of water. So after it breaks down into water it provides no protection against new bacteria. It does not keep water clean.

Conclusion:

Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful oxidizer, it can clean water very well. It cannot keep it clean (bacteria free). It's not meant to.

Hot tubs reuse the same hot water for months and dangerous bacteria grows rapidly in hot water. It needs to be continuously sanitized for safety. Peroxide cannot do this. It's not a sanitizer, it only oxidizes.

Peroxide has a super power. It can instantly destroy very dangerous bacteria and then disappear without a trace. Hot tub water needs something that stops dangerous bacteria from growing - all day - every day. Something that doesn't disappear.

Bromine and Chlorine are sanitizers. They are formulated water that we use, touch and drink, bath and shower in. They both stick around and continue working, killing bacteria in hot water before it can harm you.

For me, a deep dive into the science of peroxide was a real eye-opener.

If you hear of some new idea or theory about hot tub water care - feel free to leave it in the comments and we can take a dive into that as well.