I'm with you, not sure how well that's gonna work. It doesn't seem like you have any control over the amount it's leaching into the water. As far as non-chlorine products, our pool is bromine which is a lot easier on your skin, hair, eyes and fabrics plus it really has no chemical smell like chlorine. Bromine is more stable than chlorine in warmer temperatures and it continues to work even after it combines with contaminants, so it sanitizes for a longer period of time than chlorine.
Chlorine and bromine are
not compatible, so they'd have to drain the water and start from scratch if they decide to switch and it is a little more expensive than chlorine
Here's a few links
The Pool Forum
Trouble Free Pool
Swimming Pool Questions and Answers..Pool Help Forum For Above Ground Inground