What pH level is considered "neutral" when the chlorine reading is 0?

The pH level considered "neutral" is 7.0. This is the standard value on the pH scale that indicates an equal concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in a solution. When the chlorine reading is 0, it indicates that there is no chlorine present in the water to affect the pH. Therefore, the neutral pH level of 7.0 serves as the baseline for understanding the water’s chemistry without the influence of other factors.

Maintaining a pH level close to neutral is crucial in pool management because it ensures that the water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline, which can impact both the safety of swimmers and the effectiveness of sanitation chemicals like chlorine. If the pH were significantly below or above 7.0, it could suggest that adjustments are needed to stabilize the water chemistry, especially considering the absence of chlorine.