Common Water Problems
Common Swimming Pool Problems And Their Causes
- Black Spots on Pool Walls: Caused by black algae.
- Cloudy / Milky Discolouration: Dirt or bather pollution in water suggesting inadequate filtration
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You are using stabilised chlorines and there is too much stabiliser in the water. This causes the chlorine to take longer to kill micro-organisms and so they build up and give haziness to the water.
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The filter is ineffective or has become blocked.
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Fine suspended particles in water that are formed as dissolved hardness salts transform to small solid particles by a process called precipitation. This is probably a result of a high pH or alkalinity. - Cloudy Green Water: Algae is present in the water. This suggests that chlorine levels have dropped too low or it has become ineffective.
- Rusty red coloured water: Pipes or other steel/iron-containing fittings in the circulation system are being corroded by high water acidity (low pH level.) The corroded particles are then oxidised by chlorine shock doses and this causes rust.
- Sore throat, skin irritation and stinging eyes: The pH level of the water is too high (alkaline) or too low (acidic).
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High levels of combined chlorine (chloramines). An unpleasant “chlorine” smell tends to accompany this problem. Perform a DPD no3 test and check the results.
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You are using a detergent that is not chlorine compatible, for example to remove tide-marks or to clear pool sides. Some detergents react with the chlorine and these reactions can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Traces of soaps and shampoos (from bathers) can cause similar reactions.
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You are using the pool whilst sweaty or wearing makeup. Perspiration and cosmetics both contain nitrogenous compounds which react with free chlorine. - Tinted or blonde hair turns a green colour after swimming: Levels of copper in the pool are too high. It may be that the water is too acidic (low pH) and that this is corroding the fittings of the heater. Alternatively you may be over-using algaecides that are copper-based.
Swimming Pool Contaminants
There are many contaminants that can pollute your swimming pool. Some can cause human illness or skin irritations, others can cause discolouration of the water or unwanted odours but are not harmful to human health.
The list of common swimming pool contaminants includes:
- Microorganisms – There are many different types of microorganisms that can be pathogenic to humans or result in discolouration of the water and produce unwanted odours. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, algae, parasites and many more. They often enter the water from people using the pool as they are present on the skin, in hair, sweat and saliva. Contamination of microorganisms is most likely to be a problem in shallow, circulation pools. Algae contamination is often a problem in swimming pools and can cause many problems if the water is not filtered and cleaned correctly.
- Dissolved pollutants – There are many substances produced by the swimmer, sweat for example contains salt, amino acids and urea. When these substances react with the disinfectants in the water it can produce unwanted by-products. These often cause discolouration of pool water or give unwanted odours, they are not usually harmful to human health.
Water Quality In Your Swimming Pool
If not properly maintained, the water in your domestic swimming pool harbours a range of microbes, including bacteria and algae that can cause health problems such as ear, nose and throat infections. You should check your swimming pool regularly to make sure that the water is healthy.
A simple way to do this is to take a daily look into the pool. Is the water clear? Can you see to the bottom of the pool? Does the water look any different to how it looked the day before? Any changes, such as cloudiness, mean that you need to test the water and take steps to improve water quality before anyone goes swimming.
Swimming Pool Water Filtration
The water in your pool is pumped through a filter to remove debris and particles. How long you need to run the filter depends on the size of your swimming pool and the horsepower of your pool pump. Remember that even when you are filtering your pool according to specifications, about 35 per cent of the water still won't be filtered.
Swimming pool pH level
The pH level indicates how acidic or alkaline the water is at any given time. A pH level of 7 means that water is neutral; above 7 means the water is alkaline, while below 7 indicates acidity. You should aim for a pH level of between 7 and 7.6. If the water pH is higher than 8, anyone who swims in the pool is at risk of skin rashes, while a pH of lower than 7 can sting the swimmers' eyes. Some of the many factors that can affect your pool's pH level include heavy rain, lots of swimmers and pool chemicals. Remember to regularly check your pool's pH level.
Swimming pool Total alkalinity (TA)
Total alkalinity (TA) means the sum of all alkaline chemicals in your water. If TA is too low, the pH balance can become unstable; concrete and painted pool surfaces will also deteriorate over time. TA and pH are interconnected; for example, raising the TA could also raise the pH. Make sure you don't disrupt your pool's pH when adjusting the TA, and vice versa.
Calcium hardness in swimming pools
Calcium hardness refers to the amount of the mineral calcium dissolved in your water. Low calcium levels will deteriorate pool surfaces, while high calcium levels will leave a 'scum' or scale on surfaces and equipment.
General water quality tips
- Check your pH and chlorine levels daily. Preferably, these tests should be done before the first swim of the day, to make sure the water quality hasn't altered overnight.
- In very hot weather, it is a good idea to check the pH and chlorine twice daily.
- Remember that heated pools need more chlorine than non-heated pools.
- Brush and vacuum your pool on a regular basis.
- Regularly check the pump, skimmer boxes and other pool equipment, and repair or replace parts as necessary.
Things to remember
- People swimming in the pool are the main source of bacterial contamination.
- The keys to maintaining water quality in your swimming pool include filtration, chlorination, pH level, total alkalinity (TA) and calcium hardness.
- Check your pH and chlorine levels daily - preferably, these tests should be done before the first swim of the day to make sure the water quality hasn't altered overnight.
Ponds
When a ponds ecosystem becomes unbalanced a condition known as ‘Green Water is likely to occur, caused by the growth of a particular type of algae evenly distributed throughout the pond water. ( Not to be confused with ‘ String Algae’ or ‘Blanket Weed’ which tends to grow in thick strands or clumps ).
Green water algae are microscopic single celled organisms that thrive in warm water with high levels of nutrients, and an abundance of sunlight. For that reason algal problems are prevalent during the summer months.
Algae thrive in new ponds where there are no flourishing plants to provide shade and compete for the available nutrients, and no natural algal predators to keep the growth of algae under control. The result is a pond full of water with the appearance of pea soup.
What causes algae in ponds?
Algae control is usually the largest maintenance problem in a pond. When setting up a new pond it is normal to have excess algae growth until an ecological balance has been established. This balance is achieved through good water circulation and the right proportion of floating, marginal, and submerged plants, fish, and scavengers such as water-snails and tadpoles.
Most plants provide oxygen to the water and all plants absorb nutrients from the water. Submerged plants (also called oxygenating plants) are beneficial because they produce especially large quantities of oxygen and provide supplemental food for fish as well as a place to spawn. Floating plants are most beneficial for providing shade (important to keep the water cooler as cool water holds more oxygen and is healthier for your fish), reducing water evaporation, and providing hiding places for the fish.
A little algae is natural, will always occur, and is to a certain extent necessary for a healthy pond. Excessive algae however can be very detrimental to the ecology of the pond not to mention very unsightly.
If you have a good growth of plants and still have too much algae then perhaps there is an excess of nutrients in the water. This could be caused by a single factor or a number of different factors in combination.
What is Hard Water?
Water described as "hard" means it is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but a nuisance because of its tendancy to cause mineral buildup in water pipe and heating systems, and its poor soap and/or detergent performance when compared with soft water.
Water is a good solvent and picks up impurities easily. When it combines with carbon dioxide in the air to form very weak carbonic acid, an even better solvent results.
As water moves through soil and rock, it dissolves very small amounts of minerals and holds them in solution. Calcium and magnesium dissolved in water are the two most common minerals that make water "hard." The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases.
PureProtect Can Help
The effects of mould and algae and hard water destroy the life and appearance of pools, spas, water features, boats, yachts, fountains, timber decks and ceramic tiles.
Our local Franchise Owners who are trained technicians will remove mould and algae and provide protection against the effects of hard water damage on many surface types around swimming pools, fountains, water features, boats and yachts.
Our range of pool products available soon will dramatically improve water quality, add a silky appearance to the water and reduce the requirement for chemicals.
