💧The Hidden Risk in Saltwater Pools: Why Only One Product is UK-Compliant And Why It Matters

If you’re running a commercial or public swimming pool in the UK with a saltwater chlorination system, the salt you use isn’t just a minor detail, it’s the foundation of your water treatment process.

Only one product is fully compliant for use in UK pools with electrochlorinators:
👉 Hydrosoft Granular.

If your distributor is offering anything else, it's not just a technical error, it could be a serious compliance and safety breach with far-reaching consequences for your system, your swimmers, and your operational costs.

⚠️ Don’t Be Misled: Salt Is Not Just Salt

With many suppliers pushing alternative softener salts, tablet forms, or low-cost granular substitutes, it’s essential to know this:

Hydrosoft Granular is the only UK-manufactured and certified product that meets the required standards for swimming pool electrochlorinators.

No other water softener salt, tablet, granular, or otherwise is currently compliant with:

• BS EN 16370: Standards for sodium chloride in on-site electrochlorination

• BS EN 973 Type A: Water treatment-grade salt for human contact applications

That’s not just a box-ticking exercise - it's a matter of public health, equipment protection, and legal compliance.

🔬How Electrochlorination Systems Work - And Why Purity Is Critical

Saltwater pools use an electrochlorinator, typically an in-line electrolytic cell, to generate chlorine from dissolved salt in the water. This means the salt is in constant contact with high-grade titanium electrodes, filters, sensors, and water flowing directly into the pool.

When sodium chloride (NaCl) is added to the pool:

• It dissolves to create a saline solution.

• This flows through the electrochlorination cell.

• An electrical current splits the salt, forming chlorine gas, which sanitises the pool.

This process depends on stable, fully soluble, contaminant-free salt. Introducing anything less, such as salt with binders, anti-caking agents, or trace metals, can:

• Clog or corrode the cell

• Disrupt chlorine production

• Cause foaming or staining in the pool

• Void equipment warranties

• Lead to chemical imbalances and unsafe water conditions

❌ What Happens If You Use a Non-Compliant Salt?

Some distributors may recommend standard water softener salt tablets or cheaper granular options. These might be suitable for dishwashers or water softeners, but they have no place in a swimming pool.

Here's why:

🚫 Non-Compliant Salt Risks & ⚙️ Their Consequences

• Impurities (iron, clay, dust, metals)
→ Clogged chlorinator, corrosion, cell failure

• Anti-caking agents or binders
→ Residue in pool water, foaming, filter blockage

• Slow or uneven solubility
→ Inconsistent chlorine output, dosing issues

• Lack of traceability
→ Unknown origin or processing – no safety guarantee

• Voids compliance with BS EN standards
→ Equipment warranty invalidation and liability risks

Using the wrong salt doesn’t just damage your kit - it risks the health and safety of your swimmers.

✅Why Hydrosoft Granular Is the Gold Standard

Hydrosoft Granular is:

• 100% UK-manufactured

• Fully compliant with BS EN 16370 and EN 973 Type A

• Specially produced for use in sensitive water treatment applications

• Highly soluble, with 99.9% purity and no additives

This makes it the only product approved for use in UK pool electrochlorination systems.

If you're using or being offered anything else, it's time to ask some serious questions.

🛡️ UK Safety Standards Exist for a Reason

We hold ourselves to higher standards in the UK when it comes to pool safety - and for good reason. Public and commercial pools see thousands of bathers, children, and vulnerable users every week.

Non-compliant salts might be cheaper in the short term, but:

• They undermine chlorine generation, risking poor sanitisation.

• They damage capital equipment, leading to downtime and expense.

• They compromise water clarity and user confidence.

• They expose operators to compliance risk with HSE and local authority inspections.

Hydrosoft Granular isn’t just a recommendation - it’s a legal and operational requirement.

👷‍♂️Final Word: Protect Your Pool, Your People, And Your Equipment

At Salt Silo, we supply only Hydrosoft Granular Salt for pool use - because nothing else meets the standard. We’ve seen the cost of poor advice, bad salt, and supplier shortcuts, and we’ve helped many customers rectify damage caused by non-compliant products.

Don’t take risks. Don’t guess. Don’t let your distributor talk you into it.

If it's not Hydrosoft Granular, it shouldn't be in your pool!

👇Ready to Make the Switch or Check Your Compliance?

Talk to us today. We can:

• Verify your current salt usage

• Provide full documentation on compliance

• Deliver Hydrosoft Granular nationwide

• Offer direct support for your facilities or engineering team

So give us a call or drop us an email and make compliance a priority!

Spread the Word, Spread the Salt!