What's Causing My Green Pool?
Some common causes of green pools include the below:
Little or no chlorine in the pool - Chlorine kills bacteria and algae. If there's not enough chlorine, your pool can turn green.
pH Value too high. - pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. A number of
different factors can contribute to a high pH level in a swimming pool. Everything from
weather to oils, dirt, and cosmetics affect your pool water balance - in short, anything that
comes in contact with your pool water. When the pH level of the pool is too high, it causes
the chlorine to become ineffective.
Not enough cyanuric acid (CYA) - CYA is a water conditioner often referred to as
"sunscreen for chlorine" that prevents chlorine evaporation by the sun.
Not enough circulation/filtration time - Circulation of the pool water keeps it filtered and
clean. It also helps to spread the chemicals you add to the water. Think of a cup of coffee
after adding cream and sugar. It needs to be stirred. Same with the chlorine and CYA that
goes into your pool. But for how long? The typical time is one hour for every ten degrees
of air temp as a starting point. If it's 100 degrees out, the pool pump needs to be running
at least ten hours a day.
Regularly test your water for proper balance - or hire a pool pro to keep tabs on water
chemistry for you. You can also set your calendar for routine maintenance or include
reminders in your phone.