Bacteria, fungus, mildew moulds and mites - can present a serious health threat to you and guests in your Spa Bath at home or in your Motel.

These 'nasties' have been proven to be significant triggers for amongst others, asthma, hayfever, rhinitis, athletes foot, eczema and even Legionnaire's Disease. In the spa bath area the major threats are from moulds, bacteria and fungus. Moulds are tiny fungi to which 5% of the population are allergic. Moulds, fungi and bacteria also join with dust mites to create a cocktail of allergens and spores which guests then breathe in.

There is a simple solution to reduce the risks of disease from the spa bath. In fact, the health department have published the following information for owners and managers and those of us involved in the hospitality and leisure industry.

• Spa baths circulate water through pipes with the assistance of a pump and a booster heater.
• Spa baths, unlike swimming pools or spa pools do not have a filter so any dirt that is not drained out remains within the piping system.
• Body fats, together with soap residue and other products such as aromatherapy oils become deposited on the insides of the piping system which block off the supply of water to the outlets and are also a hygiene problem.
• " Apart from the grease from previous users, this debris is also a harborage for the survival of bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus, which can be associated with ear, eye, hair follicle and wound infections.
• Circulating the water by itself does not usually remove this material. A degreasing solution must be used to remove these fats and oils.

• There are commercially formulated degreasing solutions specifically manufactured for use in spas.
• When circulated according to manufacturer's directions, these should remove all fats and debris that are adhered to the piping and deposit the debris in the bath to be drained away.
• This debris is normally brown in colour, and you may be surprised when you use a spa cleaner for the first time at the amount of debris which can accumulate within the piping system.
• Choose a degreaser that also has a sanitising action so that the pipes remain hygienically clean until the bath is used again.
• In the Hospitality industry you need to degrease your spa regularly so that your clients can be assured that their use of the spa is an enjoyable and hygienic experience. Between each client or after each room stay is suggested intervals between degreasing.

• Spa baths circulate water through pipes
• Spa baths don't have filter systems
• Body fats + soap + other deposits block pipes, nozzles and outlets, and become a serious hygiene problem
• Grease and other debris provides harbourage for bacteria, fungus, moulds associated with ear, eye, hair, respiratory and infection of body parts
• Circulating water does not remove
• MUST USE degreasing solutions to remove fats and oils

• Salmonella - Gastroenteritis
• E Coli - Gastroenteritis
• Staphylococcus - Eye and wound infections
• Pseudomonas Aeruginosa - Skin, eye and ear irritation
• Candida Krusei - Thrush
• Trichophyton Mentagrephytes - Athlete's Foot
• Legionella - Legionnaire's Disease

Step 1.	To treat the water to burn off any flacked skin, hair and other debris that has found its way into the spa, use Poppit Quick Fix at the rate of 30 grams per 1000 litres of spa water. Remember to run the filter for at least 4 hours BEFORE adding anything else.
Step 2.	Human skin does tend to reduce the alkalinity level in the water. Calcium levels should not need adjustment once they settle.
Step 3.	Is to check the levels of Spa Poppit in the spa using either the simple eye dropper Poppit Test Kit or hydrogen peroxide test strips. The label instructions on Spa Poppit are very explicit as to rates to add, however as a guide the average use (Average is 2-3 people using the spa 2-3 times per week for up to 30 minutes), would require a top up of 500 mls (2 measure jugs) of Spa Poppit per 1000 litres of spa water to keep the spa well sanitised.

Before dumping the spa remove filter cartridges, then add 50 mls per 1000 litres of spa water of Poppit Spa Pipe Degreaser and run the blower for 20-30 minutes to clean out the pipes.

Always clean filter when water is dumped.

Completely empty the spa pool once the total dissolved solids (TDS) level exceeds 1000 ppm or every 6-8 weeks. Alternatively, replace 15% of the water every week.

After refilling the Spa use Start up procedure to re-start the Spa.

• The spa pool is used often by large numbers of people and it becomes difficult to maintain disinfectant level.
• The water becomes cloudy and Poppit Quick Fix does not clear up the water:
• If algae or slime appears to be happening
• If algae are present, dump water and scrub the inside of the spa with Poppit Pipe Degreaser (wearing gloves) and rinse the spa before refilling.

Check the temperature regularly and maintain it at a suitable comfort level, usually from 28 degrees - 37 degrees C. Water temperature should certainly NOT exceed 40 degrees C.

A spa that is continuously heated will obviously use more Spa Poppit.

• If the sanitiser level and or pH is not within recommended levels and the water is dirty or cloudy
• If the filtration unit or pumps are not operating correctly
• By persons who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• By person with open wounds or who feel unwell or are pregnant
• By persons who are immuno compromised

• Always keep your head above water
• Spend NO LONGER than 20 minutes in the spa at any one time