Cloudy Pool Water

Cloudy pool water is caused by turbidity, or the presence of suspended solids in the water. There are five common causes of cloudy pool water.

Cloudy Pool Water due to Inadequate Filtration

It’s nearly impossible to prevent cloudy pool water if the filter is not working properly. The source of the filter problems varies depending on the type of pool filter installed. The filter may been to be backwashed, cleaned or replaced. A malfunctioning pump can cause poor circulation which may lead to cloudy pool water as well.

Cloudy Water from Pool Algae

Even a small amount of algae suspending in the water will cause cloudy pool water. This cause of cloudy water can be detected by feeling the side of the pool with your hand. If algae is to blame, the side of the pool will feel slippery. The solution is to super-chlorinate to 25 or 30 ppm free chlorine. This will kill the algae, and if the filter is working properly, the filter will remove the dead algae. An ultraviolet disinfection system may be installed to kill algae suspending in pool water. Salt water pools may allow algae growth if the salt chlorinator is undersized or if the electrodes are in need of cleaning.

Poor Water Balance

Poor water balance may result in a host of problems, including cloudy pool water. With unbalanced pool water, suspended calcium carbonate may occur. Often simply balancing the pool water will cause the calcium carbonate particles to go back into solution. This will often clear cloudy pool water.

Lots of Swimmers May Lead to Cloudy Pool Water

Cloudy pool water may occur when a lot of swimmers enter the pool at one time, introducing more organic matter into the pool than the sanitation system can handle. Salt water pools are especially vulnerable to high numbers of swimmers because these systems can rarely increase chlorine output quickly enough to keep up with chlorine demand. There are several ways to increase the water’s ability to handle higher organic loads. The chemical based solution is to increase the amount of chlorine in anticipation of the greater number of swimmers. The non-chemical solution is to install an ultraviolet disinfection system. UV is very effective at eliminating organic matter, not to mention microorganisms. A pool uv system will take the load off you’re your chemical sanitation and help prevent cloudy pool water. Although not eco-friendly, the green solution for a pool that is already cloudy is to superchlorinate the pool with 25-30 ppm free chlorine. Ultraviolet pool systems eliminate the need to superchlorinate and are considered the most green method of pool sanitation available to pool owners.

Very Small Suspended Solid Matter

Cloudy water may also be caused by dirt particles that are just too small for the filter installed on your pool. There are two solutions. You can install a new filter that has a lower micron rating, which will trap even the finest particles. Or you can deal with the problem using a chemical clarifier. A clarifier will cause the fine suspended particles to clump together, so they can be removed by your filter.

In the end, a properly balanced and sanitized pool is your best insurance against cloudy pool water. An ultraviolet pool sterilizer is a popular choice for pool owners who wish to lower chemical use and improve health and safety, while helping to clarify cloudy pool water.