What is algae?

Algae are small plants that propagate by air-borne spores. They enter swimming pools and quickly turn the water green. When conditions favor their growth, they can cause black and/or green spots on pool walls. Heavy rain, intense sunlight, and presence of nitrogenous material all contribute to algae bloom – as the rapid growth of algae is called. Sometimes algae bloom results in a sharp rise in pH, as the algae consume carbon dioxide in the pool water. If algae bloom is present, super chlorination should be used. Then an algaecide will control it, and prevent its reoccurrence. The best insurance against algae? Maintain a free chlorine residual in the pool at all times. An effective way to do this is to sanitize with stabilized pool chlorinating concentrates, and add algaecide according to the directions on the label.

As bather loads peak in the summer heat, it is that time of the year again when sparkling clear water can become clouded and unsanitary. What is a pool operator to do? Cloudy water is an indication that the disinfection and filtration systems are not keeping up with the load being placed on them by the number of bathers using the pool. Cloudy water is not just unappealing to the bather. It can also be a health hazard by inducing potential spread of illnesses and decreasing the lifeguards’ ability to see submerged drowning victims. There are many reasons water can become cloudy. Let’s break down the causes, then review the remedies of unsightly and potentially hazardous water.

In this prevention advisor we will discuss:

1. Cloudy Water Common Causes
2. Combating the Cloudiness
3. Water Clarifiers
4. Algae

Common Causes for Cloudy Water

High bather loads with improper filtration, insufficient water circulation or flow rate, and poor water chemistry are the usual culprits that cause cloudy water. A pool’s turnover rate should not exceed the maximum time required by your state’s swimming pool codes, usually 6 or 8 hours. It is important that the circulation system runs 24/7.

Cloudiness is the result of particles that are too tiny to be filtered or removed from the water through oxidation. Environmental factors contribute to the existence of these particles, such as wind, rain, vegetation, and even the pool users themselves with dry skin flakes, bacteria, cosmetics, and residues of the skin.

Combating the Cloudiness

The first step in regaining control of the water’s transparency is to check the filtration system. Sometimes, resolving the issue can be as easy as cleaning the filter and re-establishing the proper flow and turnover rates. Products are also available that are designed to clean specific types of filter media.

Proper water balance is important to help prevent cloudy water. High alkalinity and pH levels can cause cloudy water. Using the saturation index, make the necessary adjustments to bring the water back into harmony.

Water Clarifiers

The majority of water clarifiers are in liquid form, but there are solid granular forms available. Depending on the directions, most clarifiers will require the product to be diluted or poured over the surface of the water. Make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply any chemicals.

Organic Water Clarifiers

Synthetic polyelectrolytes or polymeric coagulants are the most common organic clarifiers. They usually have a positive charge called cationic clarifiers, which directly combat the negative electrical charges within the particles that cause cloudy water.

Inorganic Water Clarifiers (Flocculants)

A common inorganic water clarifier is aluminum sulfate, known as alum. It forms a gelatinous mass that traps the microscopic suspended particles. As larger and larger particles are formed, they sink to the bottom of the pool. The circulation system must operate for a period of time to let the alum and particles to properly combine to create these larger particles. The circulation flow will then be suspended for 12-24 hours, this process is called flocculation. When the flocculated particles collect on the floor of the pool, the operator will then vacuum the bottom of the pool.

Algae

Algae are one-celled plants that become a major concern for operators. Algae comes in several forms: green, yellow, or black. If left unchecked, algae growth can contaminate a clean and clear pool in about the span of a day.

Green algae - by far the most common and easily controlled.
Black algae - usually grow on pool walls in areas of poor circulation, like deep corners.
Yellow algae (aka mustard) – difficult to control and often treated with specifically formulated algicides.

Maintaining proper disinfectant and pH levels will help prevent the growth of algae. Algae growth is supported with environmental conditions such as light and temperature. Unfortunately, swimming pools provide all the nutrients needed to grow algae: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous. These nutrients come from the water itself because of the hydrogen, oxygen and total alkalinity, which contains carbon and oxygen. Skin fragments, dead bacteria, cosmetics, some swimming pool treatment chemicals, chemical cleaners, soils, fertilizers, bird dropping, and dead instincts also contain nitrogen and phosphorous-like contaminants.

Alkalinity in pools is an extremely important topic as it’s what helps  prevent sudden pH changes. Total alkalinity is a measure of alkaline substances  in this case, ionic compounds, that act as buffers that resist pH change.

Don’t worry, this is just a bunch of chemistry and scientific mumbo jumbo  that you really don’t need to know. What is important to understand is that  alkalinity helps stabilize the pH balance in your pool, and keeping it within  normal range can save you a lot of headaches as well as solve a lot of  problems.

The recommended range for a swimming pool’s total alkalinity is between 80  and 120 parts per million. Any good pool testing kit will let you determine the  range, and it’s important to test often.

So, when it comes to alkalinity there are really only 3 states in can be in:  Too High, Too Low and Just Right.

Low Alkalinity With low alkalinity your pH levels can swing back  and forth between too high, and too low. It’s not uncommon for these numbers to  shift drastically causing an unbalance in your pools pH.

Some problems that are associated with this include: -Chlorine  inefficiency -Metal Corrosion -Pool Staining -Scale

You can easily raise a pool’s alkalinity by using a chemical called sodium  bicarbonate which is, baking soda. The recommended dosage is 1.5 pounds of  sodium bicarbonate per 10,000 gallons of water. If you’re unsure how much water  you have you can find a good estimate by using this formula:

Average Width x Average Length x Average Depth x 7.5

Add the amount you need with your pump running, to make sure the chemicals  are mixing nicely. Do this once every 4 days until your alkalinity becomes  stabilized.

High Alkalinity With high alkalinity your pH will generally be much  higher than normal as well. A good sign that you’re dealing with high alkalinity  is having cloudy swimming pool water.

Other problems include: -Reduced pool circulation -Clogged  Filter -Rough Surfaces

Since your pool is too alkaline the best way to correct this problem is by  using an acid. For swimming pools we either use muriatic or sodium bisulfate.  You can purchase either at any swimming pool and spa store.

The best approach I’ve personally found with this is to first begin by adding  enough acid to bring your pH balance down to 7.0. Then, let the pool sit for  awhile until the pH climbs back up to around 7.2. Repeat this process until your  pool alkalinity seems to have stabilized, but be sure to follow the directions  on whichever acid product you decide to go with so as not to add too much  acid.

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Inadequate filtration will often lead to algae growth.

Water clarity depends on daily circulation and filtration. Anything that impedes water flow from the pool to the filter — clogged skimmer baskets, a dirty or damaged filter, a defective pump motor, or a failure to run the pump for an adequate amount of time each day — will encourage algae growth. The first warning sign of a filtration problem is hazy or cloudy water. Left unchecked, cloudy water can quickly lead to a full-fledged algae bloom.

Algae can develop when little or no chlorine is present.

Sunlight, rainfall, temperature, number of swimmers and frequency of pool use affect the rate of chlorine loss. The lower the chlorine level, the more likely algae will bloom. Super-chlorination, coupled with the application of conditioner or stabilizer designed to shield residual chlorine from the effects of heat and sunlight, helps ensure that there is always sufficient chlorine in the pool. Spas, which are often heated to temperatures well above 100 degrees, are especially susceptible to algae growth.

Algae loves a dirty pool!

Leaves and dirt left on the bottom of the pool for an extended period of time, not only promotes algae but also causes pool staining. The longer you allow leaves and other debris to sit on your pool floor, the more likely that you’ll see algae, and staining. In a dirty pool, algae will continue to bloom, even when the water chemistry is properly balanced.

Pools that have turned green or black are signs that they have been neglected and need special treatment before they are ready for human use once again. The first thing owners should do is clear out all large and small pieces of debris that can be captured with a net. These large leaf nets are generally more efficient at removing debris than a simple skimmer. While these nets will stir the water of the pool, the water color may begin to look worse than it did before; nevertheless, all physical matter must be removed from the pool waters. It is especially important for owners to avoid vacuuming the bottom of the pool if the bottom surface is not visible or if cluttered with debris. If debris exists on the bottom, it may eventually clog the vacuum, costing hundreds in repairs and replacements for owners.

Alkalinity and pH levels must be checked, maintained, and adjusted. If owners are unsure about the content of the water, many local pool cleaning service company’s will come out to test the water or allow consumers to bring in samples so that a diagnostic test can be administered. If a swimming pool is particularly dirty, owners may need to add gallons of chlorine over a range of days for the water to return to its normal level. Local pool cleaning service company’s might also be able to assist with specialized chemicals and treatments for the swimming area, but chlorine is particularly important for a very dirty pool.

Many owners will run the filtering system for 24 hours and then backwash for 3-5 times a day for quick results. While green or cloudy water can quickly clog a pool filter, the more times a pool is backwashed, the quicker it will clear. With the addition of chlorine, the pool should clear up within a week’s time. If this does not occur, there could be a problem with the filter or the backwash process. Consulting with a pool professional or a local business with experience in pool water might be a wise response to this.

Three days later pool is clean, water balanced and ready for the homeowner

If the pool clears up within five to seven days, owners might be able to then see debris that was previously on the floor of the swimming pool. Some consumers prefer to have their pools vacuumed professionally with a power vacuum, a process that could save hundreds in filter repairs and replacements. By following these tips, pool owners can be ready to treat their swimming pools to the best of their ability this summer and in time for their next pool party!

Algae are unsightly and a nuisance. Although they are not themselves pathogenic, they can nevertheless be dangerous. Algae are often covered with a slime layer which is slippery. and they can be a hiding place for bacteria.

Under a microscope algae resemble a tiny apartment complex. Like most plants they flourish by consuming nutrients in the water (things like perspiration, urine and other swimmer waste). They also need plenty of sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. Most types of algae won’t grow in the dark…which is why you usually find algae growing on the sunny side of the pool.

Some forms of algae actually can ingest calcium, which they can find in the water or in the walls of a plastered pool.

And then there are the kinds that float in the water. And kinds that cling to the pool’[s interior surface.

Of the more than 21,000 types of algae, only about 40 to 50 inhabit swimming pools.

No, we don’t kill all the algae. Or bacteria either. We merely control them with chlorine, for one. And with algaecides. Algae spores are just waiting for a chance to get with the program. Let your guard down, and watch them grow. Rain, dust, wind and not telling what else bring algae spores into the pool water 24 hours a day. You’ve got to be ready for them.

You let the water’s pH to go above the 8.0 mark. When pH level reaches 8.5, chlorine is only about ten percent active, whereas it is 73 percent active when the level is at 7.0. The higher the activity of chlorine, the cleaner the pool water will be.

Mechanical energy such as diving, jumping and splashing of swimmers removes chlorine too.

During the hot summers and the resulting high water temperatures expect your chlorine bill to zoom sky high.

If it be true that one swimmer contaminates about 600 gallons of water and one dog is equivalent to 50 swimmers, then shead a tear for a public pool whose 20,000 gallon pool accommodates more than 125 people a day.

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