Hazy Pool?

Swimming contaminants and how to avoid deal with them

You go outside and take the solar blanket off the pool, ready to take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day, only to realize that the pool does not sparkle as it should.  The water is not cloudy, but you know your pool has looked better.  Now what? 

The first thing you should do, if your pool is not looking its best, is to test the water.  If your sanitizer reading is low, bacteria can start blooming in your pool causing a haziness to the pool that will soon turn to a cloud which can be harder to fix.  Also check on your pH levels to ensure they are within range.   

A haze can also be caused by contaminants – whether organic or non-organic.  Checking the sanitizer level can also assist with some of these issues.  Sunscreen, lotions, cosmetics, sweat, urine, all of these are organic contaminants that are added to the water by bathers.  Having guests shower before entering the pool is the best way to avoid these issues, but sometimes we can not always have this happen.  Rain, pollen, fertilizer, fog are all non-organic contaminants and can be added to the pool without your knowledge.  Using a solar blanket in the evenings or when using lawn treatments will help to protect the water from these contaminants being added in large quantities. 

The pool can also become hazy or cloudy when adding chemicals to the pool, for instance, if you were to add too much Alkalinity to the pool at one time, a chemical cloud can form.  These clouds will dissipate over time but ensure you follow the directions on how to add chemicals to the water. 

Leaving a hazy pool untreated will likely cause the pool to become cloudy.  Once a pool becomes cloudy the pool is out of use until it clears up.  Swimming in a cloudy pool is a safety hazard when you cannot see the bottom of the pool.  Should someone slip below the cloud, you are unable to see them in the water.  The other safety aspect is the low sanitizer reading.  Be sure to keep the sanitizer in the ideal range to prevent the pool from becoming cloudy in the first place.   

You can try using a clarifying agent to help remove a haze or cloud from the water.  These typically take some time to work but can help to speed up the process.  Speak to your pool professional about how the haze or cloud may have begun so they can best recommend which clarifier may work the best.   Although we won’t always know what has caused the haze in the first place, the answers you provide to our questions may help to find the solution.   

As cloud or haze can be caused by so many issues, your pool may not clear on the first attempt, you may need to repeat the treatment, or change the treatment all together.  Water takes time to clear.  The best treatment is preventative!  Be sure to follow your weekly routine as suggested by your pool professional.