What is the effect of high cyanuric acid levels on chlorine's effectiveness?

High cyanuric acid levels can inhibit the disinfection ability of chlorine. Cyanuric acid serves as a stabilizer for chlorine in outdoor pools, helping to protect chlorine from being broken down by UV rays from the sun. However, excessively high levels can cause issues. When cyanuric acid concentrations are too high, it can bind with chlorine and reduce the amount of free chlorine available to effectively kill bacteria and other pathogens in the water.

This diminished effectiveness means that even if the total chlorine reading appears adequate, the actual disinfecting power could be significantly lower than needed, potentially leading to water quality problems. Therefore, while cyanuric acid is beneficial at appropriate levels for stabilizing chlorine, there is a threshold beyond which it becomes counterproductive, making it crucial for pool operators to monitor and maintain cyanuric acid levels within recommended limits.