Even though salt-water pools might make people feel better and feel better about swimming in general, they are not chemical-free systems. Homeowners sometimes advertise houses for sale as 
having natural or chemical-free salt-water pools. The statement is not accurate, as salt-water pools depend on the steady and continuous flow of chlorine into the water for the benefits it delivers. Despite the name, salt water pools aren’t anywhere near as salty as sea water (they have about 1/10 the salinity). Strictly speaking, salt water pools are not chlorine free. Rather, these systems create their own chlorine using salt through a process called electrolysis. The key difference is that in a standard chlorinated pool, chlorine is added manually on an ongoing basis. In a saltwater pool, a regenerative process creates the chlorine continuously.
When pool salt is dissolved in pool water and then subjected to simple electrolysis within the chlorine generator, the chloride portion of the salt (sodium chloride) is transformed into a sanitizer, which kills bacteria, viruses & algae. The chlorine generator uses the salt to produce a chlorine gas that dissolves into the water. You still may occasionally need to use a chlorine shock.This process is reversible, so it does not consume the salt, which is simply used over and over again. You will need to add additional salt, from time to time. Cleaning the cells of the generator is imperative. The build-up of calcium will reduce the generator’s ability to produce chlorine and will ultimately cause it to fail completely.
MAINTENANCE
Sparkling Water Doesn’t Happen By Itself
The Water should be balanced as a traditional chlorine pool. Test your pool water 2-3 times a week to ensure the pool is safe to swim in.
Advantages of Saltwater Pools
Low Chlorine Levels – First, the water in a saltwater pool has less chlorine content compared to a regular pool. This is because you do not need to physically add chlorine in the water. Instead, saltwater pool systems use chlorine generators that convert salt into chlorine. Gentle on Your Skin – Second, because of the significantly lower chlorine content in the water, swimming pools that use saltwater systems are less damaging to the skin. People who have very sensitive skin or those who suffer from allergies will not have problems when they take a dip in this type of swimming pool.
Gentle on Your Skin – Second, because of the significantly lower chlorine content in the water, swimming pools that use saltwater systems are less damaging to the skin. People who have very sensitive skin or those who suffer from allergies will not have problems when they take a dip in this type of swimming pool.
Low Salt Levels – Third, even though they’re called saltwater pools, the water actually has lower amounts of salt than ocean water. As a matter of fact, the salt content in this type of pool is proportionately the same as that in human tears. Hence, you can safely open your eyes even while underwater. The small amount of salt in the water can also make the skin feel softer and smoother.
Low Maintenance – Finally and most important, a saltwater pool requires less maintenance. With this type of pool in your home, you can leave town for a couple of weeks and not worry about green algae growing in the water. The latest saltwater systems are capable of monitoring cleanliness and automatically cleaning the pool water.
Disadvantages of Saltwater Pools
Installation Expense – On the downside, a saltwater swimming pool is more expensive to install compared to a regular pool. However, after the installation, you don’t have to spend money on buckets of chlorine. This means that you can save a lot of money in the long run and come out ahead with a saltwater system or chlorine generator in your pool.
Wear and Tear – Next, many owners also complain that the salt content in the water can damage other swimming pool parts and accessories. The permanent presence of salt, no matter how small in concentration, can ruin underwater lighting systems, pool liners, and even the overall masonry work done in the pool.
Salt Damage to Plants – Moreover, the backwash or wastewater that comes from a saltwater swimming pool is known to kill plants and dissolve beneficial soil nutrients. As a result, this type of pool has been linked to crop damage in some areas in Australia and even in the US. It is not surprising that there are American towns and localities that prohibit the use of saltwater swimming pools. So, you need to first check with local authorities before you in this type of system
Electricity Use – Finally, even with less maintenance, saltwater pools need electricity for the chlorine generator to work. A 20,000-gallon pool will require about 500 watts of power. In short your operating cost for this type of swimming pool may be higher compared to a traditional one.