One of the best parts about preparing for a dip in the pool is anticipating the cool, refreshing blue water. So, it can be a real let-down when you wander outside for some fun in the sun only to find the water is a disgusting tint of pond green. Luckily, getting rid of green pool water is easier than it seems (if you haven’t allowed the green water to sit over a period of months).
Green pool water is generally the result of an overgrowth of algae. During the warm summer months, especially, algae can grow quickly in swimming pools. Sometimes, your water can even turn from blue to green in a day or two.
To gauge the extent of the problem, determine what shade of green has taken over your pool water. For instance, light green is more easily fixed than, say, a black-green. In the case of the latter, you may need a professional pool service because the darker hue indicates that your pool may need to be drained and cleaned. This is not something on which to embark on your own because it requires tremendous care to get your pool properly drained, cleaned, and re-filled with the right chemical balance.
Algae overgrowth happens when there is a chlorine imbalance in your pool. Chlorine is the chemical responsible for sanitizing the water. If you allow the levels to drop even temporarily, algae can infiltrate the water and begin growing.
Cleaning Green Pool Water
A quick chlorine boost is the quickest and most effective way to deal with light green water. Often referenced as “shocking” your pool, paired with an algaecide, this treatment can eradicate algae growth before it takes over the water entirely.
If you go with this method to achieve a clean pool once again, make sure to run the pool filter for at least 10 hours during the treatment after it. Plan to avoid pool use for 24 hours after the treatment to allow chlorine levels in the water to balance out to normal once again.
Also, keep in mind that if your pool sits in direct sunlight, then you may need to consider the type of chlorine you are using. For example, if you are using destabilized chlorine to shock your pool, it will burn much faster in sunlight than stabilized chlorine.
If your pool water is a dark green, then you may need to shock it twice to get the water back to a state of balance.
If the water is still cloudy even after a shock treatment, then you need clarifying tabs to make it clear again. This also requires you to run the pool pump and filter for an extended period to allow the tabs to work their way through the pool water system. For continued maintenance, check the chlorine levels in your pool regularly and use an algaecide (especially during the summer months) to guard against overgrowth.
If you are in the Santa Rosa, CA area and are dealing with green pool water, and want to save time, our pool chemical services may be the right fit for you.
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