There are many locations where commercial swimming pools are common, and if you have one that you are responsible for maintaining, it may interest you to know that there really is a proper temperature to keep commercial swimming pools at. For the most part, there are just considerations about too cold and too warm to consider. However, if you operate a pool for competitive swimmers, there are defined rules about water temperature to know about.

Competitive temperature regulations require commercial swimming pools operate between 77 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for most competitive swimming, with an exact temperature of 81 degrees needed for synchronized swimmers. It has been determined that these temperatures provide the ideal environment for less friction while ensuring all performances are conducted under the same conditions.

As for non-competitive commercial swimming pools, consider the dangers of too warm and too cold. Obviously, too cold is shocking to the system, which can put a heart patient into cardiac arrest. Cold water also affects chlorination by slowing down the demand, which would require care to avoid over chlorination issues. If you have a salt chlorine generator, it needs water above 60 degrees to operate. On the other hand, having a pool that’s too warm can harm swimmers by causing overheating, dehydration and muscle cramps. The best range for commercial swimming pools to avoid these situations is between 82 and 85 degrees.