Does hot tub testing prevent diseases?

Measuring the water in hot tubs with a suitable digital tester or meter is one of the ways you can indirectly help to prevent the spread of diseases by providing the clear information you need to make water chemistry adjustments, enabling you to keep the hot tub water safe and balanced. Learn more about how hot tub testing can help to prevent illness as part of your maintenance routine below:

What causes diseases in hot tubs?

Bathers are more at risk of diseases from hot tubs when the water is not properly sanitised. As tubs have warm water, they are an ideal breeding ground for a range of waterborne pathogens. When combined with the aerosolisation of water caused by the use of jets and other methods of agitation, there is a risk of infection in hot tubs where the water is not correctly managed.

Effective sanitisation eliminates bacteria and pathogens from hot tubs, making them safe for use. Chlorine is the usual choice of sanitiser, providing the level of hygiene required for personal safety and commercial health and safety standards. Whether you run a business with hot tub facilities or have a personal hot tub in your garden or at your holiday home, ensuring your sanitation is within the correct levels is key for preventing sickness and providing a positive bather experience.

What kinds of illnesses can you get from hot tubs?

A range of waterborne pathogens and bacteria can thrive in the warm waters of unsanitised hot tubs, which can cause illnesses and infections of varying severity. These pathogens can include: 

• Legionella
• Coliforms
• Mycobacteria
• Giardia
• E-coli
• Cryptosporidium
• Enterococci
• Staphylococcus
• Pseudomonas
• Acinetobacter
• Klebsiella
• Enterobacter
• Stenotrophomonas

The best way to prevent infection and disease is to properly sanitise hot tub water. To achieve this, you need a method for testing the water chemistry to ensure both pH and chlorine are balanced before introducing additional chemicals into the hot tub, such as a digital meter.

How does testing prevent hot tub diseases?

Testing the chlorine and pH in hot tubs helps to prevent disease by providing the information necessary to make water chemistry changes. Without insight into the current condition of the water, it can be easy to under or over-dose on chlorine, which can allow pathogens to multiply or cause skin irritation if chlorine is being topped up to a level that is too high for bather comfort.

Significant changes in pH can also reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, regardless of whether you are using the same amount on a consistent schedule. Using an accurate digital tester for hot tubs or a portable photometer is an ideal way to keep on track with water chemistry, ensuring the conditions in the tub are safe for use.

What should you use to test hot tub water?

There are a range of different digital options for testing the water in hot tubs. These include:

• Direct digital testers: These dip-and-test electronic testers allow you to measure the pH of hot tubs directly, providing an accurate reading on-screen. Buy one here.
• Portable photometers: These compact hot tub meters are a simple way to measure multiple parameters, including chlorine and pH. Buy one here.
• Controller systems: Automatic hot tub controllers both measure and dose the water without input required following set-up, keeping the water clean and safe for use. Learn more about them here.

Test strips for hot tubs are also available for measuring water. While this method is cheap, it relies on your perception of results, which may, in certain cases, lead to costly remediation or increased risk due to over or underdosing the water.

For more information about how to test the water in hot tubs, see our article here.

Buy hot tub testers from Hanna Instruments

Hanna’s Pool Line range includes photometers, testers and controllers designed for the easy measurement of sanitation in hot tubs. Our digital instruments make testing as easy as possible, helping you to achieve consistent, sanitary conditions by providing precise readings of the water.

Shop the full range online today, or contact our pool and hot tub ambassadors directly to discuss your requirements for testing. Call us on 01525 850 855 or email us at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk today.