![Chlorine-Free Mineral Pool vs Saltwater Pool — Which Wins in 2025? Chlorine smell and itchy skin pushed many owners toward salt-chlorination in the 1990s. Yet saltwater pools are still chlorine pools—just with a different delivery method. Mineral natural pools take a bigger leap: no chlorine, no salt haze, no corrosion. Let’s dissect the two systems by chemistry, maintenance, cost, health and sustainability. 1 Water Chemistry & Feel (H2) Aspect Mineral Bio-filtration Saltwater Chlorination Salinity ≈ 1 g/L (spa-like) 4-6 g/L (tear fluid) Free chlorine 0 ppm 2-3 ppm generated in situ ORP 450 mV 650 mV Skin feel Silky, moisturising Slight residue, skin dryness Odour None “public-pool” smell on hot days Take-away: Mineral water mimics a mountain spring; saltwater still oxidises organics via chlorine gas. 2 Maintenance & Running Costs (H2) 2.1 Daily & weekly tasks (H3) Mineral Pool Skim surface & empty basket. Salt Pool Skim & brush cell plates weekly to prevent calcium scale. Add muriatic acid 2–3 × week to keep pH < 7.8. 2.2 Annual spend (H3) Item Mineral Salt Consumables €120 (mineral blend per annum) €720 (acid + stabiliser + cell cleaner) Electricity* 1 650 kWh (€290) 1 950 kWh (€340) Cell replacement (5-yr amort.) – €160/yr Total €410/yr €1220/yr *10 × 5 m pool, Algarve climate, variable-speed pump. 3 Equipment Lifespan & Aesthetics (H2) Salt spray corrodes stainless-steel handrails within five years; limestone coping shows white efflorescence. Mineral water, with zero salinity, extends fittings life to 12 – 15 years and keeps glass fences crystal-clear. 4 Health & Wellness (H2) Respiratory relief — No chloramine vapour in mineral pools; No asthma related issues Dermatology — Reduction in eczema flare-ups in children after switching. 5 Environmental Footprint (H2) KPI Mineral Salt Back-wash water loss 18 m³/yr 42 m³/yr Chemical drum disposal 1/yr 8–10/yr Embodied CO₂ in consumables 82 kg CO₂e/yr 310 kg CO₂e/yr Mineral water outperforms even before counting corrosion-driven replacements. 6 Payback (H2) Even with a higher upfront cost, mineral systems pay back by year 5. 7 Frequently Asked Questions (H2) Can I convert my salt pool to mineral? Yes—replace the cell with a bio-filter skid; keep existing plumbing. Is UV-C needed? Optional indoors; outdoors the bio-filter suffices. Does the water taste salty? At 1 g/L it’s below taste threshold. 8 Book a Free Water Test (H2) [CTA button] – a Calendly link to schedule an on-site water analysis.](https://origin-aqua.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Be-kind-to-your-skin-Origin-Aqua-scaled.jpg)
Chlorine smell and itchy skin pushed many owners toward salt-chlorination in the 1990s. Yet saltwater pools are still chlorine pools—just with a different delivery method. Mineral natural pools take a bigger leap: no chlorine, no salt haze, no corrosion. Let’s dissect the two systems by chemistry, maintenance, cost, health and sustainability.
1. Water Chemistry & Feel
| Aspect | Mineral Bio-filtration | Saltwater Chlorination |
|---|---|---|
| Salinity | ≈ 1 g/L (spa-like) | 4-6 g/L (tear fluid) |
| Free chlorine | 0 ppm | 2-3 ppm generated in situ |
| ORP | 450 mV | 650 mV |
| Skin feel | Silky, moisturising | Slight residue, skin dryness |
| Odour | None | “public-pool” smell on hot days |
Take-away: Chlorine-Free Mineral water mimics a mountain spring; saltwater still oxidises organics via chlorine gas.
2. Maintenance & Running Costs
2.1. Daily & weekly tasks
- Skim surface & empty basket.
Salt Pool
- Skim & brush cell plates weekly to prevent calcium scale.
- Add muriatic acid 2–3 × week to keep pH < 7.8.
2.2 Annual spend
| Item | Mineral | Salt |
|---|---|---|
| Consumables | €120 (mineral blend per annum) | €720 (acid + stabiliser + cell cleaner) |
| Electricity* | 1 650 kWh (€290) | 1 950 kWh (€340) |
| Cell replacement (5-yr amort.) | – | €160/yr |
| Total | €410/yr | €1220/yr |
*10 × 5 m pool, Algarve climate, variable-speed pump.
3. Equipment Lifespan & Aesthetics
Salt spray corrodes stainless-steel handrails within five years; limestone coping shows white efflorescence.
Mineral water, with zero salinity, extends fittings life to 12 – 15 years and keeps glass fences crystal-clear.
4. Health & Wellness
Respiratory relief — No chloramine vapour in mineral pools; No asthma related issues
Dermatology — Reduction in eczema flare-ups in children after switching.
5 Environmental Footprint (H2)
| KPI | Mineral | Salt |
|---|---|---|
| Back-wash water loss | 18 m³/yr | 42 m³/yr |
| Chemical drum disposal | 1/yr | 8–10/yr |
| Embodied CO₂ in consumables | 82 kg CO₂e/yr | 310 kg CO₂e/yr |
Mineral water outperforms even before counting corrosion-driven replacements.
6. Payback
Even with a higher upfront cost, mineral systems pay back by year 5.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I convert my salt pool to mineral? Yes—replace the cell with a bio-filter skid; keep existing plumbing.
- Is UV-C needed? Optional indoors; outdoors the bio-filter suffices.
- Does the water taste salty? At 1 g/L it’s below taste threshold.
Book a Free Water Test