Green, brown or red swimming pool water?

You wake up one morning and your pool has a lovely green hue? Not appetizing, right? Especially if you were expecting company!

Green or blue-green water

A pool with cloudy green water is usually the result of an algae problem. In addition, the pool is usually slippery. If you notice that your pool water is turning green:

Check the pH level of the water and adjust it: the pH determines the effectiveness of the disinfectant.

Do a shock treatment or use an anti-algae product.

Let the water filtration run until the water runs clear.

Manually brush the walls of the pool basin to remove algae, then run the robot over them.

Reddish-brownish water

A reddish-brown tint to water comes from the presence of iron or manganese. Iron can appear brown, dark red, or brownish-black in water. Manganese can appear brownish-black in water.

The water source may be the reason behind this discoloration (contamination, corrosion/erosion of water circulation components) or even the use of chemicals.

Simply adding a sequestration or chelating agent to the water will bind the metal ions and reduce their ability to stain surfaces.

Whitish or cloudy, milky water

There can be many causes of white, cloudy and milky water:

• very hard water
• a problem within your filtration system
• a processing problem
• poor balance of your water (pH and high temperature)
• the aftermath of an anti-algae treatment.

A clarifier or flocculant treatment will often eliminate your whitish water problem effectively and inexpensively. It agglomerates all the small particles and makes them fall to the bottom of the pool. They can then be vacuumed up, either by the bottom drain or by your robot. The water should regain its clear and limpid appearance.

On the other hand, if your water is very whitish, cloudy or milky, a product called Alum (or Alum) will be more effective. It requires a few days of complete filtration shutdown to be able to work effectively.