A new chlorine-free purification system for swimming pools has been launched by Clearwater Enviro in the UK.

Managing director Peter Carter says chlorine is a health risk, with the chemical linked to cancer and eye problems. By contrast, the ‘NECON’ chemical-free ionisation disinfection system is much safer, he says. It uses copper and silver via electrodes to purify the water.

The system was founded in Germany and Clearwater Enviro is the exclusive distributor of it in the UK. So far, Birmingham-based Clearwater Enviro has installed one system in the UK, at Chesham Moor Gym & Swim in Buckinghamshire.

“We want to help grow swimming as a healthy sport in the UK. Last year it decreased ever so slightly and it seems the big bugbear is chlorine,” Carter told the Birmingham Post. “At the same time outdoor swimming in lakes and in the sea has increased year on year. People want to swim but don’t want to deal with the chlorine.”