Chlorine in the forms of calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite is commonly used to disinfect swimming pools. When added to water, chlorine reacts to form hypochlorous acid, which kills bacteria and pathogens. The reaction results in an equilibrium of chlorine, hypochlorous acid, and hydrochloric acid depending on pH, with hypochlorous acid partially dissociating into hydrogen and hypochlorite ions at higher pH levels.