Not All Chemical-Free Pools Are Equal

Not All Chemical-Free Pools Are Equal

The Growing Shift Away From Chlorine

More pool owners are making the switch to “chemical-free” or “low-chemical” systems — and for good reason. But not all of these systems are built the same way. Understanding the difference could change what you put in your water, your garden, and ultimately your family’s environment.

Two Approaches. Very Different Results.

Many systems marketed as “chemical-free” still rely on salt chlorination, UV treatment, or ozone — each with their own limitations. Copper-silver ionisation is the only method that scores clean across every category that matters.

Feature Claritech Ionisation Chlorine Salt UV Ozone
No corrosion damage to pipes & fittings ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌
Non-toxic ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌
Not temperature-dependent ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅
Not pH-dependent (works pH 6.5–9.5) ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
No lime scale development ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
No high energy consumption ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌
No rapid recontamination after treatment ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌
Simple to apply ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌
Backwash water safe for garden irrigation ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
No chemical storage or handling ✅ ❌ ❌ ✅ ❌

Source: NECON GmbH independent comparison data.

What About Salt Water Chlorinators?

Many people don’t realise that salt chlorinators actually generate chlorine — so a saltwater pool is not truly chemical-free. However, pairing a salt chlorinator with a Claritech system is one of the most efficient setups possible.

  • The Claritech system takes over the heavy lifting — copper and silver ions destroy bacteria and algae, so your chlorinator no longer needs to work hard.
  • Dial it down — turn your salt chlorinator down to just 10–15% output. At this setting it acts purely as a gentle oxidiser, burning off organic waste like sunscreen and sweat.
  • Better water, less wear — crystal-clear water with no stinging eyes, no heavy chemical odours, and significantly less wear on your salt cell and pool equipment.
  • Bonus — the salt in the water actually helps the copper and silver ions disperse even more effectively.

The Science Behind the Kill

Copper and silver ions are among the most effective natural antimicrobial agents known to science — a property documented for thousands of years and validated by modern microbiology. Here’s how the numbers stack up:

  • Bacteria elimination: Copper-silver ionisation achieves 99.9%+ kill rates against common pool pathogens including E. coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Legionella pneumophila
  • Algae control: Copper ions are highly effective against all major algae strains — including the chlorine-resistant black algae that plagues many pools
  • Residual protection: Unlike UV and ozone, which only treat water at the point of contact, copper-silver ions remain active throughout the entire body of water — providing continuous protection against recontamination
  • Biofilm penetration: Silver ions are particularly effective at penetrating and destroying biofilm — the protective layer that allows bacteria to survive chlorine treatment

Legionella Control — A Proven Standard

Copper-silver ionisation is one of the few technologies formally recognised for Legionella control in building water systems. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) — in its technical guidance document “Reducing Legionella Damage in Building Water Systems” (published 2000) — identified copper-silver ionisation as a primary method for controlling Legionella in building water systems.

This is the same technology standard used in hospitals, aged care facilities, and commercial aquatic centres where water safety is non-negotiable. For residential pool owners, it means you’re using a technology held to the highest possible standard of pathogen control.

What Makes Claritech Different from Other Ionisation Systems?

Not all ionisation systems are equal either. Claritech uses pure copper-silver ionisation — no salt, no chlorine generation, no hybrid chemistry. Some competitors combine ionisation with salt chlorination, which means you still get chlorine in your water, still get corrosion, and still need pH management.

Claritech Pure Ionisation Hybrid Systems (Ionisation + Salt/Chlorine)
Core technology Copper-silver ionisation only Ionisation + salt chlorination
Salt required ❌ No ✅ Yes
Chlorine generated ❌ None ✅ Yes — still produces chlorine
pH management ❌ Not required (pH 6.5–9.5) ✅ Still required
Backwash water ✅ Safe for garden irrigation ❌ Contains chlorine/salt — not safe
Corrosion risk ❌ None ✅ Salt is corrosive to equipment

The Bottom Line

If you want to reduce chemical usage by up to 90% — with no harsh chlorine smell, no red eyes, and no corrosion — copper-silver ionisation is the only system that delivers on every front. And if you already have a saltwater pool, you don’t need to rip anything out. Claritech works with your existing setup and makes it dramatically better.

  • ✅ 5W power consumption (NEC-20) — less than an LED bulb
  • ✅ pH 6.5–9.5 — no adjustment needed
  • ✅ WRAS certified flow cell (NEC-2000)
  • ✅ 2-year warranty from NECON GmbH
  • ✅ Free NZ delivery

Shop Now → | Why Ionisation? → | FAQs →