What's Causing My Green Pool?

Some common causes of green pools include the below:

Little or no chlorine in the pool - Chlorine kills bacteria and algae. If there's not enough chlorine, your pool can turn green.

pH Value too high. - pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. A number of different factors can contribute to a high pH level in a swimming pool. Everything from weather to oils, dirt, and cosmetics affect your pool water balance - in short, anything that comes in contact with your pool water. When the pH level of the pool is too high, it causes the chlorine to become ineffective.

Not enough cyanuric acid (CYA) - CYA is a water conditioner often referred to as "sunscreen for chlorine" that prevents chlorine evaporation by the sun.

Not enough circulation/filtration time - Circulation of the pool water keeps it filtered and clean. It also helps to spread the chemicals you add to the water. Think of a cup of coffee after adding cream and sugar. It needs to be stirred. Same with the chlorine and CYA that goes into your pool. But for how long? The typical time is one hour for every ten degrees of air temp as a starting point. If it's 100 degrees out, the pool pump needs to be running at least ten hours a day.

Regularly test your water for proper balance - or hire a pool pro to keep tabs on water chemistry for you. You can also set your calendar for routine maintenance or include reminders in your phone.