How Come My Pool Water Isn't Blue?

Swimming Pool Filters

• A poor or inadequately maintained filter can cause unnecessary cloudiness in your pool. There are four types of commonly used filters: sand, diatomaceous earth, cartridge and zeolite filters. Upgrading to a good quality, easy maintenance filter will remove pollutants and disinfected organic materials quickly. If upgrading your filter is too expensive, emptying the leaf basket daily and backwashing your pool every week will offer a good alternative.

Swimming Pool pH and Chlorine

• An imbalance in pH and chlorine levels can cause your pool water to be impure, which can lead to the discoloration of your water and render your pool unsafe to swim in. Water should be tested weekly for pH and chlorine right after each backwash using at-home water testing kits. Your pool's pH level should be around 7.2, while your chlorine level should be around 2.0 ppm. Treat your pool accordingly if the levels of chlorine or pH are too high or too low.

Swimming Pool Algae

• Algae growing on the sides and bottom of your swimming pool can make your pool look visibly unappealing. The three types of visible algae that can grow in your pool are green, black and blue-green. Algae growth is prevented by adjusting your free chlorine higher. When your pool has algae, a heavy shock treatment with chlorine and an algaecide should be used. Keeping the pool sanitized at normal chemical levels will keep the algae from growing.

Swimming Pool Microscopic Material

• Some filters, like the sand filter, have difficulties trapping matter that is smaller than 20 microns, causing them to overpopulate in the pool. Cloudiness and discoloration can be a result of too many microscopic particles in your pool. A flocculant, a chemical found in most pool stores, that is applied to your pool will bind the microscopic matter together and allow you to skim them from your pool. Check your instructions before using the flocculant.