What is Acid Demand?
Acid demand of water describes the degree to which an acid is required to reduce the water pH level. The term pH can be described as the balance between positive hydrogen ions (H+) and negative hydrogen ions (H-), which determines the acidic or alkaline tendencies of water. As pH and total alkalinity of water decrease, so does the acid demand of the water. Adding a pH reducer or total alkalinity decreaser such as muriatic acid or dry acid lowers the pH and alkalinity, thereby reducing the acid demand of the water.
[sc:ad_middle]Why is Acid Demand important?
It’s important to swimming pools, as the amount of acid required to bring the pH level down an ideal pH range is needed to maintain adequate water balance. If the pH level of pool water is high, the acid demand of swimming pool water can be measured with an acid demand test. If the pH level is low, then the base demand of the water can be tested with a base demand test.
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