Algae is the primary reason for green water in your pool. Algae are normally kept in balance by water circulation, natural die-off in cool weather, and appropriate chemical balance. If the water circulation or chemicals are off, algae can bloom and cause a pool to be cloudy and green. While you’ll encounter naturally growing algae in ponds and streams, an overgrowth of algae in a swimming pool is more highly concentrated and can be more of a health hazard. Plus, its presence means there’s an imbalance that may also indicate dangerous bacteria growth. Don’t swim until the water is clear again. Our Hotwater DRX professionals are happy to help you clean up that algae growth!
Pollen and metals can also cause a pool to turn green. Pollen’s naturally greenish-yellow shade can contribute to a green pool, as can the oxidation of metal elements in the pool itself (including pump parts and ladders). Sometimes those metals can react with pool chemicals and release material into the water that throws off the chemical balance. To avoid too much pollen in the pool, use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. Have a Hotwater DRX professional check that your equipment is in good shape and isn’t deteriorating.
The free chlorine levels might be low. The heady scent of chlorinated pool water can bring back memories of childhood summers, but in a well-balanced pool, you shouldn’t be able to smell it. Chlorine is used to purify water, including most municipal drinking water, because it will kill nearly any organism that could be harmful to humans. When the levels are properly balanced, chlorine will keep the algae at bay, but the water will slowly begin to turn green as the algae take over if there’s not enough. But be careful—adding too much chlorine in pool water can cause those metals to oxidize and turn the pool a different shade of green. If you’re struggling with balancing chlorine, let our professionals here at Hotwater DRX balance your chemicals for you!
The pH may be too high. pH is the measurement of the balance of how alkaline or acidic something is. The goal is to keep the pool water reasonably neutral, with a pH of around 7.3 to 7.6. If the pH becomes too high (over 7.8), it prevents the chlorine from doing its job. If you’re not checking the pH and it has risen too much, you could be adding the right amount of chlorine, but it can’t work correctly, and algae will begin to grow. In this case, you’ll need to add a pH reducer like sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid to bring the pH down to the correct level. Again, let Hotwater DRX pros balance your chemicals and get your pool back to tip top shape!
The filter might not be running long enough, or it needs to be replaced. Your pool’s filter has an important job: It sucks small debris and dirt out of the water and removes algae and pollen as the water is forced through (this is why you’ll notice that the filter is mostly green when you clean or change it). If you’re also asking yourself, “Why is my pool cloudy?” then the problem is probably the filter. You may not be running the filter long enough to clean the water well—in warm weather, the pool filter should be running for 8 hours a day, and if there are lots of people using it, potentially longer. If you’re running it for an appropriate length of time, the filter may need to be cleaned or changed. Cartridge filters should be cleaned every 2 to 6 weeks, diatomaceous earth (DE) filters should be backwashed every 1 to 3 months, and sand filter should be backwashed every 1 to 4 weeks. If this doesn’t correct the problem, the filter and pump may need to be replaced. Our Hotwater DRX professionals are able to repair and replace all types of filters.