If an operator can only afford to automate one aspect of pool maintenance, which should it be?

Automating pH control is crucial for maintaining pool water quality because pH levels significantly influence chlorine effectiveness and overall water balance. When the pH is within the optimal range (typically between 7.2 and 7.8), chlorine can effectively sanitize the water, preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms. An inconsistent pH can lead to both irritation for swimmers and inefficient disinfection, resulting in health and maintenance concerns.

While chlorine levels are also vital, they can be adjusted manually in response to pH readings, so maintaining proper pH enhances the efficacy of available chlorine. Temperature control is important for swimmer comfort but does not impact water quality as much as pH does. Water level maintenance is necessary for filtration and skimming purposes but does not directly influence water chemistry. Therefore, focusing on automating pH control means ensuring better overall water quality and user safety, making it the most beneficial aspect of pool maintenance to automate if only one choice is available.