A chlorine-free alternative, easy maintenance and a simple three-step process are the key factors behind the growing demand for Waterco’s Poppits range for spas. The range, which has been widely accepted in Australia and New Zealand, will soon be launched internationally
“The therapeutic benefits of spa baths are widely accepted, with users enjoying a sense of wellbeing, in addition to relief from chronic pain and physical discomfort,” says Gary Beecroft from Waterco. “However, these benefits are lost on people with allergies, sensitive skin and respiratory conditions which are exacerbated by exposure to chlorinated water.
“This has created a perfect market for Waterco’s Pool & Spa Poppits range of chlorine-free products.”
Poppits is approved by the Sensitive Choice® program of the National Asthma Council Australia and the Asthma Foundation NZ. It offers a viable, healthy alternative to traditional chlorine and bromine chemical solutions. No other such system has been endorsed in either country.
“With the incidence of asthma growing* at an alarming rate, the market for chlorine-free spas and pools also continues to expand,” Beecroft says.
“We simply ask customers: ‘Do you want to bathe in chlorinated or non-chlorinated water?’ and invariably they reply non-chlorinated water. People like that the Poppits range is chlorine-free, colourless, tasteless and odourless. Why expose yourself to unnecessary chlorine when there is a simple, safe alternative?”
The Poppits range is typically used in spas which range from 800 to 8,000 litres. And there is a growing trend of the use of the Poppits range in swim spas.
“We have found that swim spas are becoming more popular particularly in eco lodges, b&bs, hotels and in residential properties,” says Beecroft. “Our customers say they like the simplicity of the three- step process, which includes testing, balancing and sanitising the water.
“And it’s relatively easy to convert the spa to a system which is completely free of chlorine/bromine, which has no odours, is easy to control and maintain and is sympathetic to the environment.”
Powerful, safe sanitiser
The key ingredient of the Poppits Sanosil sanitiser is a product comprising hydrogen peroxide (H²O²), a powerful yet versatile oxidant that is both safe and effective, in addition to a silver additive. Both of these are excellent anti-pathogenic substances.
“Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful oxidisers known – stronger than chlorine, chlorine dioxide and potassium permanganate,” Beecroft adds. “H²O² is also formed by the action of sunlight on water – a natural purification system for our environment.”
In Australia, the Poppits range is stocked by Spa Industries, Spa World, Endless Spa, Simply Spa, Reece Plumbing and Mitre 10, in addition to all Swimart stores and independent pool and spa retailers.
Poppits three-step process:
Step 1: Test the water. Pre-heat spa water to at least 26 degrees, then use the Poppit Sanosil Test Strip to check and record pH and alkalinity
Step 2: Balance the water. Based on the reading on the strip, you can determine how much of the Poppit One Step Water Prep to add to adjust the pH and Total Alkalinity
Step 3: Sanitise the water using Poppit Sanosil Pool & Spa Sanitiser