If you're researching pool systems or considering upgrading, you've probably heard about freshwater pools. They're becoming increasingly popular in Australia, but are they worth the investment?

Quick Summary: At a Glance

Feature	Chlorine Pool	Freshwater/Mineral Pool
Chlorine Level	3-5 ppm	0-0.5 ppm
Skin Irritation	Common	Rare
Eye Sting	Frequent	Virtually eliminated
Chemical Smell	Strong	None
Annual Chemical Cost	$500-$800	$200-$400
Maintenance Time	1-2 hours/week	30 mins/week
Swimming Feel	Sticky/chemical	Natural/clean
Hair Damage	Yes (colored hair fades)	No

What Is a Freshwater Pool?

A freshwater pool uses copper and silver ionization as the primary sanitizer, with only trace amounts of chlorine as a backup.

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Copper

Natural algaecide - prevents algae growth

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Silver

Natural bacteriacide - kills bacteria

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Minimal Chlorine

0-0.5 ppm vs 3-5 ppm traditional

"It's just like being in fresh water. It's beautiful and refreshing." - Geoff, Naked Pools owner (3+ years)

The Swimming Experience: What Actually Changes?

❌ No More Chemical Smell

The most immediate difference you'll notice:

Chlorine pools:

That overwhelming "pool smell" that lingers on skin and swimsuits

Freshwater pools:

No smell at all - you don't even need to shower after swimming

"I've always been that type of person that hates smelling like the pool, feeling of being covered in chemicals all the time, which this system gave that objection away for us." - Pool owner

✨ No Sticky or Icky Feeling

After swimming in a highly chlorinated pool you feel sticky and need a shower. Freshwater pool owners report feeling clean when they get out.

"We just throw our kids in the pool in summer, they get out and get straight into their pajamas. They're not having a shower." - Freshwater pool owner

😌 No Eye or Skin Irritation

Chlorine pools at 3-5 ppm cause red, stinging eyes and dry, itchy skin. Freshwater pools at 0-0.5 ppm eliminate these issues.

Real Health Benefits

For People With Skin Conditions

This is where freshwater pools truly shine:

"My daughter has a skin allergy... quite severe sometimes. We've had the system for best part of 3 years. We've had no issue at all with her skin issues since we've had the naked system. She gets in the pool more often than not." - Pool owner

If you or your family members have:

Eczema
Psoriasis
General skin sensitivity
Chlorine allergies

A freshwater system can literally transform your swimming experience.

For Hair (Especially Colored/Treated Hair)

Chlorine is notorious for damaging hair - stripping color, leaving hair brittle and dry, creating green tint in blondes.

"You spend a lot of money as a woman on your hair, and you don't want to spend your time then with the chlorine counteracting your coloring that you're doing or making you look fried. So this pool for me makes it so much easier to just jump in and not worry about it." - Freshwater pool owner

For Families With Children

Kids are most affected by pool chemicals. Freshwater pool owners report kids swim longer without irritation, no red eyes, and can go straight from pool to bed without showering.

Cost Comparison: The Numbers

Initial Installation Cost

Traditional Chlorine: $3,000 - $6,000
Freshwater/Mineral: $5,000 - $9,000

Freshwater costs $2,000-$3,000 more upfront

Ongoing Chemical Costs (Annual)

Traditional Chlorine: $500-$800/year
Freshwater: $200-$400/year

Freshwater saves $300-$500 annually

The Break-Even Point: At $300-$500 annual savings, freshwater systems pay for the extra installation cost in 4-6 years.

Salt Comparison

Traditional saltwater pool: 10+ bags of salt at startup
Freshwater pool: Only 1-2 bags of salt at startup

"A naked pool only takes one to two bags of salt compared to a standard pool that's taking at least 10 bags at startup." - Freshwater pool owner

Less salt means less corrosion to pool equipment, no salty residue, and better for landscaping.

Maintenance Requirements

Traditional Chlorine Pool

Weekly tasks:

Test chlorine levels
Add chlorine as needed
Test pH and alkalinity
Adjust chemicals frequently
Shock treat weekly in summer
Brush and vacuum regularly

Time: 1-2 hours per week

Freshwater Pool

Weekly tasks:

Test pH, alkalinity, copper
Adjust pH if needed (rarely)
Check copper cartridge (6-12 months)
Normal cleaning (brush, vacuum)

Time: 30 minutes per week

"I'm not spending money to look after my pool. It really does it all." - Freshwater pool owner

Who Should Choose Each System?

Choose Traditional Chlorine If:

Initial budget is the primary concern
You're comfortable with regular chemical handling
The pool will be used infrequently
You already have a chlorine system that works
No skin sensitivity issues in your family

Choose Freshwater/Mineral If:

Family has skin conditions or sensitivities
You want to reduce chemical exposure
You value natural swimming experience
You want less maintenance time
Colored/treated hair is important
Planning to stay in home 5+ years
Children swim frequently

Making the Switch: Can You Convert?

Yes, most existing pools can be converted to freshwater systems:

Install the ionization unit (typically wall-mounted)
Drain and refill (to remove old chemical buildup)
Add startup salt (1-2 bags vs 10+ for saltwater)
Balance water chemistry
Start enjoying your freshwater pool

Conversion Cost: $3,000-$6,000 typically includes:

Ionization unit
Installation
Startup chemicals
Pool shop water analysis

The Bottom Line

Freshwater pools offer:

✅ Superior swimming experience - no smell, no stickiness, no irritation
✅ Health benefits - especially for skin conditions and sensitive individuals
✅ Lower ongoing costs - half the chemical expense of chlorine pools
✅ Less maintenance - stable water balance requires fewer adjustments
✅ Environmental benefits - fewer chemicals produced and disposed

The trade-off: Higher upfront cost ($2,000-$3,000 more) with a 4-6 year payback period.

"Everyone who comes into our pool and has been in the pool says that the water feels amazing." - Geoff, 3-year freshwater pool owner

Calculate Your Pool Chemistry

Use our free calculator for any pool type - chlorine, saltwater, or freshwater systems.

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Freshwater Pools vs Chlorine Pools: Which Is Right for You? (2026)