How a salt pool works
You add pool salt once, and a cell in the plumbing turns some of it into chlorine as water flows through. One widely used system, Hayward's AquaRite, calls for 2,700–3,400 ppm of salt, with 3,200 ideal; people start to taste it at about 3,500–4,000 ppm (Hayward manual). Seawater is about 35 parts per thousand, or 35,000 ppm (USGS), so a salt pool is roughly a tenth as salty as the Gulf. You still test free chlorine, pH and stabilizer.
Costs side by side
| Option | Salt system | Traditional chlorine |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | $750–2,425 (generator, install, first salt) | Included in the standard equipment |
| Chemicals per year | Under $100 | $300–800 |
| Extra electricity | $36–48 a year | No extra |
| Big repair | Cell, $200–700 every 3–5 years | Chlorinator or feeder now and then |
| Salt | About $5 per 40 lb bag; 400–1,000 lb to start | Not needed |
National figures from Fixr. This Old House puts a salt chlorine generator at $1,100–2,200 (TOH). Some Lafayette packages already include automatic chlorination, so ask what is in the base price (see pool cost).
Our reading: the chemical savings usually pay for the cell over time, but the startup cost comes back slowly if your chlorine bill would have been at the low end.
Rain, salt and Acadiana water
Salt doesn't evaporate. It leaves through splashing, backwashing and water that drains away after rain (Hayward manual). Lafayette averages about 62.8 in of rain a year (NOAA normals), so after a wet spell expect to test the salt and stabilizer and top them up. Hayward suggests opening and checking the cell about every three months, or after cleaning the filter; its controller reminds you after roughly 500 hours of operation. Scale on the plates is the usual reason a cell underperforms, so keep pH and calcium in range.
Which pools and decks suit salt
- Fiberglass: not affected by salt, per Fixr (Fixr). It's the easiest match; see fiberglass pools.
- Gunite and plaster: salt water can mean resurfacing sooner (Fixr). Ask your builder which interior finish they warranty with salt; see gunite pools.
- Vinyl: Fixr lists liners, lights and masonry among things salt can harm.
- Natural stone coping or decks: Hayward's manual says to consult a stone specialist about the type, installation and sealant before running salt next to natural stone. Travertine is also sensitive to some pool chemicals (see deck materials).
- Plants: salt water splashed or drained onto beds can harm soil and plants (Fixr).
How to decide
Common questions
Is a salt water pool really chlorine-free?
No. The cell makes chlorine from the salt, so the pool is sanitized with chlorine either way. You just don't buy and add it yourself.
How long does a salt cell last?
Typically 3–5 years, and a replacement costs about $200–700 (Fixr). Keeping scale off the plates helps it last.
Does rain affect a salt pool?
Yes. Heavy rain raises the water level, and the overflow or drain-down takes salt with it. After a wet week in Acadiana, test the salt and stabilizer before adding more.
Is a salt pool more expensive to build?
Slightly. The generator, install and first salt add about $750–2,425 (Fixr), although some local packages already include automatic chlorination. On a $60,000–90,000 pool that is a small share of the total.
Can I switch an existing pool to salt?
Usually, by adding a cell and controller to the plumbing. Check the interior finish, the coping stone and any metal parts with whoever services the pool first.
Sources & further reading
- Fixr: saltwater vs chlorine pool. Startup, yearly costs, cell life
- Hayward AquaRite owner's manual. Salt levels, cell inspection, stone note
- USGS: why is the ocean salty?. About 35 parts per thousand
- This Old House: inground pool prices (Jun 2025). Salt generator $1,100–2,200
- NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lafayette Regional
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.