Sustainability in hospitality isn’t just about cutting carbon emissions or reducing plastic waste—it extends to every drop of water in our hotels, including swimming pools.
Did you know that up to 60% of swimmers experience skin irritation or red eyes due to chlorine exposure? In a medium-sized hotel, where around 150 guests use the pool daily, this is a significant concern.
In this blog, we explore why traditional chlorine-based pool disinfection methods present environmental, health, and operational challenges—making them a less sustainable choice in the long run; and review the alternative Saltwater electro-chlorination.
Why Traditional Chlorine Systems Fall Short
For decades, hotels and resorts have relied on chlorine to keep pools clean. Maintaining stable chlorine levels is a constant challenge, and handling these chemicals poses safety risks. Guests frequently complain of skin irritation, red eyes, and the infamous ‘chlorine smell’ that lingers around chlorinated pools.
Enter OXIMAX: Alternative Non-Chlorine Pool Disinfection Solution
OXIMAX offers a game-changing alternative through its saltwater electro-chlorination system. Unlike traditional chlorine dosing methods, OXIMAX generates chlorine on-site using salt and electrolysis.
How does OXIMAX work?
The OXIMAX system differs from chlorine methods by its process. The system requires a small amount of salt in the pool water—typically between 3,000 and 4,000 ppm, about one-tenth the salinity of seawater. Through electrolysis, this salt is converted into sodium hypochlorite—the same active sanitiser found in chlorine—without the harmful by-products of traditional chlorine systems. Once it has done its job disinfecting the water, the chlorine reverts back to salt, creating a sustainable cycle that drastically reduces the need for added chemicals. This process also cuts chlorine consumption by up to 80%, minimising chemical waste.
Benefits Beyond Clean Water
The advantages of saltwater chlorination go beyond disinfection. Skin irritation, allergies and red eyes are a thing of the past as the OXIMAX sanitation keeps swimming pool water pleasant and softer. When looking at OXIMAX from an environmental standpoint, there is less packaging involved, less transportation required and the need for chemical chlorine production is lowered. Adding to this, as the system generates on-site chlorine, hotels do not need to store any hazardous chemicals on site, making it a safer choice. OXIMAX systems use automated monitoring and controls to ensure that the correct amount of chlorine is distributed, which results in optimum water quality at all times and lower operational costs such as labour-intensive maintenance.
The Smart Investment for Hotels
Moving to an OXIMAX system does require an initial investment, however the long-term savings on chemical costs, reduced maintenance and more importantly, improved guest satisfaction easily outweigh the upfront cost. Studies show that the systems electrolyser cells can last up to 5 years before needing replacement and that saltwater pools reduce chemical costs by 50% or more.
Plus, with growing global demand for sustainable hospitality, having a chemical-free pool can be a unique selling point for eco-conscious travelers.
A Real-World Example: Pullman Dubai Downtown
As part of our ongoing efforts to uncover sustainability best practices in Green Key-certified hotels, we had the opportunity to visit Pullman Dubai Downtown and witness the implementation of the OXIMAX Disinfection System firsthand. Led by Engineer Manikandan Shanmugam, the hotel has successfully adopted this saltwater chlorination technology, improving water quality, guest satisfaction while reducing chemical dependency. We have investigated the costs and are same as regular chlorine disinfection.
Sustainability synonymous with wellness, resilience is an expectation. By making the switch to saltwater chlorination, hotels can elevate guest experiences while staying ahead in the movement toward greener hospitality. Ready to take the plunge?
To view other water conservation solutions, visit our Marketplace.
To know more about sustainability certifications for the hotel industry, read our Guide to Hotel Certifications.
