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When balancing swimming pool water, the first element that should be adjusted is:

  1. pH

  2. total alkalinity

  3. calcium hardness

  4. cyanuric acid

The correct answer is: total alkalinity

When balancing swimming pool water, the first element that should be adjusted is total alkalinity. This is because total alkalinity acts as a buffer for pH levels in the water. By adjusting total alkalinity first, you can help stabilize the pH levels in the pool. If the total alkalinity is not within the proper range, it can lead to fluctuations in pH levels, making it harder to maintain the desired pH balance. Therefore, it is essential to start by adjusting total alkalinity before moving on to other parameters such as pH, calcium hardness, or cyanuric acid.