Public aquatic venues in different parts of the country have opened despite the ongoing threat presented by Covid-19. Why? There is no evidence that the virus that causes Covid-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water/spray parks. Additionally, proper management of these venues, including the disinfection of the water with chlorine or bromine, should inactivate the virus if it is present.

This is good news for aquatic venue operators and pool owners as well as people who enjoy cooling off in the water to beat the heat and relax without worrying about the potential for infection of a deadly virus. Pool operators and owners, however, are advised to take steps to ensure the health and safety of those who will be using their facilities and pools. These include ensuring water quality and safety in addition to following approved guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities. Apart from health and safety precautions, pools should also undergo regular maintenance and address any small problems in a timely manner. This will save pool owners’ and operators’ time and money.

Pool Maintenance

Pool owners and operators can keep their facility clean using three simple and practical tips:

Skim Regularly

Pools should be skimmed regularly, even on the days the pool is not being used. How often? It depends on how much debris normally falls into your pool. Pool owners should check the skimmer basket every time the leaf rake is used. Don’t let it overflow or sit for hours full to the top with debris as it will lead to poor water circulation, giving algae an opportunity to grow.

Brush and Vacuum

Some pools only need weekly vacuuming while others have to be done every other day. However, how often the pool will have to be vacuumed and its sides brushed depends on how often the pool is used. If leaves or other debris can be seen at the bottom of the pool, it also indicates that it needs to be vacuumed.

Test the Water

Pool water needs to be tested at least two to three times per week. Although if it has been used frequently, the water should be tested every day. Pools that are used more frequently are more subject to chemical imbalance than pools that are used less often.

Likewise, suntan lotion, tanners, and other chemicals increase the chemical levels in the pool water when more people use the facility. Pool water can be tested through measuring its acidity and basicity or pH levels; the amount of dissolved calcium in the pool water; maintaining total alkalinity of 120-150 parts per million (ppm); and the presence of copper, iron, and manganese.

pH levels

The pH level of the swimming pool water is acidic, corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment can occur. On the other hand, if the pH level is basic, the pool can be at risk for scaling, deposits, and cloudy water. It is ideal to maintain a pH of around 7.5. A chemical increaser or decreaser can be used to adjust the pool’s levels as needed.

Calcium Hardness

Low calcium hardness levels will cause plaster etching and shorten the life of vinyl liners, while high calcium levels will result in calcium deposits on the pool surfaces as well as equipment. The proper range for calcium hardness in pool water is 200 to 250 ppm for concrete pools and 175 to 225 ppm for vinyl pools.

Total Alkalinity

Apart from keeping a stable pH level, the total alkalinity of the swimming pool should be maintained at 120 to 150 ppm. Low total alkalinity will not only cause pH bounce and fluctuations but also corrosion and staining. High total alkalinity, on the other hand, will result in cloudy water and scaling and will cause the pH to fluctuate.

Metals

The presence of copper, iron, and manganese, which are the most common types of metals that appear in pool water, can stain the pool’s surface and discolor the water. Stain and scale remover can be used regularly if the aforementioned metals are present in the pool.

Pool Pumps

Apart from testing the water, skimming, brushing and vacuuming, pools can be cleaned by installing a pump which will keep the swimming pool water moving, pushing it through the filter to remove dirt, leaves, and debris. Apart from not requiring a lot of work to use, the pool pump will keep the water clean and clear and help prevent labor-intensive maintenance later on. While taking care of the swimming pool is a must for every pool operator and owner, health safety precautions should still be considered, especially since the threat of the pandemic is not yet over.

Handrails, lounge chairs, tabletops, door handles, surfaces of restrooms, and other shared objects should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette should be encouraged and adequate supplies such as soap, hand sanitizer, alcohol, paper towels, tissues, and no-touch trash cans should be easily accessible.

Photos Via Houzz

The environment in which a pool is situated has a big impact on how quickly it might get dirty. A pool that has a solid fence and paving all around it will obviously stay cleaner than one that has an open fence and garden beds that are not mulched or planted with ground covers.

The style of pool and type of filtration and chlorinator systems doesn’t make much difference to how quickly the pool water might get dirty. That’s more to do with the source of the contaminants, which will originate either from:

• Wind blown dirt and debris
• Leaves and grass clippings
• Swimmers and pool accessories

Let’s have a closer look at each of these sources of contaminants and discuss how pool owners can minimize the extent to which they contribute to making the pool water dirty.

Wind Blown Dirt and Debris

In some environments such as dry desert conditions, dust is the primary source of pool contaminants. Even constructing solid fences around a pool doesn’t prevent the ingress of dust into pool water, because dust becomes suspended in the air and will enter the water in the slightest breeze. In very windy environments, a solid fence may help a little to prevent dust and dirt blowing in, but the only sure way to keep dust out of a pool in dry climates is to use a pool cover in between swimming sessions. Even then it is important to have two people remove the pool cover when the swimming pool is to be used to ensure that it can be taken off the surface of the water without the pool water washing over the top of the cover. That would only wash the dust on the top of the cover back into the pool, defeating the purpose of having a pool cover.

In other types of climates, dust can still be a problem if the pool is located in a garden where there are exposed garden beds. When the weather is dry, particles from the soil on the surface of the garden beds can be easily picked by the wind and deposited in the pool water. The way to prevent that is to ensure that all garden beds are either planted with ground covers that trap windblown dust, or are covered in a mulching material such as pine bark chips or dried fall leaves to keep the soil moist and prevent the dust being blown from the garden bed.

Mulching also creates a healthier environment for the microorganisms in the soil, so this has the added benefit of producing denser root systems, which help to stabilize the soil. This in turn produces more leaf growth above ground, which helps to trap the dust in the air.

Leaves and Grass Clippings

In warmer climates there are often more trees or shrubbery around the pool, and in tropical climates trees are often planted close to the pool to provide shade. Whilst these have the effect to helping to stop dirt and dust blowing into the pool, when leaves fall into the pool they despite a lot of dirt into the water. That’s because leaves are very efficient dust collectors, but of course once they are in the pool water, the dust will be washed off and deposited into the water. In some warmer climates, pool owners string covers made from shadecloth or mesh above the pool to provide additional shade and catch the leaves that fall from the trees. This can be quite an effective way of preventing leaves falling into the pool, but can be very labor-intensive removing the leaves from the cover. If too many leaves are allowed to build up on the cover, the weight of the leaves when they get wet may cause the cover to collapse. In any event, the leaves should be removed before rain, otherwise the rain will wash the dirt from the leaves through the cover into the pool.

Palm trees are often used around pools in preference to trees with small leaves because the large fronds of palm trees can often be removed prior to them falling into the water. Palm trees also make more suitable anchoring points for shadecloth covers in warmer climates. Grass clippings can also be very dusty, so efforts should be made to avoid these being blown into the pool. If there are lawn areas around the pool that have to be mown, the grass clippings should be raked up as soon as possible after mowing.

This is especially important if chemical fertilizers are used on the lawn. It is much better to use only organic fertilizers around a pool. Organically grown lawns are not only safer for family health, but beneficial to the environment as well. Even if the lawn is thoroughly raked, there will still be some clippings that will stick to swimmers’ feet if they are walking to the pool on the grass. In these situations it is advisable to provide a footbath next to the pool steps where the clippings can be washed off the feet prior to entering the water.

Swimmers and Pool Accessories

Other sources of pool contaminants are the swimmers themselves and other items that are used in the pool. These include playthings such as inflatable boats and floaters, and items of equipment such as vacuums that are used to keep the pool clean. Perspiration and sunblock are the most common contaminants that the human body introduces to the water, and whilst they don’t make the water as ‘dirty’ as dust and windblown debris, they can have a significant impact on the chemical balance of the water. Body fats, skin cells and bacteria are also released into the water in small quantities by swimmers, and the more swimmers there are, the bigger impact these contaminants will have on the water. Installing an outdoor shower near the pool is a good investment. By encouraging swimmers to use it before they enter the water, the contaminants introduced by the pool users will be significantly reduced. At the very least, a tap and a footbath should be available to wash the feet before swimming.

And families with young children need to educate their kids that whilst it might seem like fun to urinate in the pool, that makes the water dirty as well. Usually reminding children that it’s not nice to get water that has ‘pee-pee’ in it in the eyes, ears or mouth is enough to discourage them from doing it. Before putting any sort of playthings into a pool, they should be hosed off — especially if they’ve been sitting outside for a while since they were last used. This will ensure that they aren’t also depositing dust in the water. And equipment that is used in the cleaning of the pool such a leaf rakes, vacuums, and the plastic hoses of automatic pool cleaners should be thoroughly washed to remove surface dirt.

Other Pool Contaminants

There are some things that even the most fastidious pool owner will not be able to control and which will contribute to making the water dirty. Bird droppings, for example, may fall from the sky, and there’s not much that can be done to prevent those from contaminating the water unless the pool is built under a glass or plastic awning. Rainwater can also collect dirt from the air on the way down from the clouds to the ground, and is a common source of pool water contamination, especially in urban and industrial areas. Often the pH balance of pool water needs to be adjusted after heavy rain as well. And depending on whether the patio area around the pool has been correctly leveled to have a slight slope away from the edge of the pool, rainwater might also wash dirt from the pool surrounds into the pool.

Mains tap water that is used to top up a pool after there has been a loss of water from evaporation or backwashing can also be dirty in some places. At the very least, the pH balance needs to be checked after topping up because often tap water will have a different measure of acidity or alkalinity to the pool water. Total alkalinity and calcium hardness may also be impacted when a substantial quantity of new water is added to the pool, however ‘clean’ that water may appear to be.

Whilst none of the factors discussed here will make a big difference in themselves to the overall cleanliness of the pool that can be achieved through proper filtration and sanitization of the water, awareness of all of the reasons as to what causes pool water to become dirty can go a long way to reducing the efforts that have to be made to keep the water clean. There is a common saying that ‘prevention is better than cure’. That applies as much to the hygiene of pool water as it does to the health of the people using it.

Photo: Underguide Disguided Lid

One of the worst tasks that starts as early as the first leaves start falling off is maintaining your pool. Even if you don’t experience freezing winters later on, pool maintenance is still required both during the fall and winter, the seasons when you’re not using the pool.

Leaving your pool as it is until the next swimming season is out of the question. If you want your pool to last you have to take care of its upkeep even during the days you’re not using it. Even if you outsource this chore to professionals like Payan Pool Services, there are still some things you should pay attention to if you want your pool to last you a long time.

Here are some maintenance basics you have to check off your winter pool maintenance list:

Clear the Debris

You can still create a winter wonderland in your backyard even if your pool is closed. First things first – clean it out! Use a special net with a long handle to clear the pool’s surface once every couple of days. It is one of the easiest ways to keep your pool neat. Removing the debris will help the circulation system work properly. Your pool will also require less chlorine. Also, make sure to clean the strainer baskets at least once a week for the same effect.

Photo: Blythe Pools Inc

Clean the Filter

Before you do anything, consult the manufacturer’s manual for the proper way of maintaining your filters. What most owners don’t realize is that having a thin layer of dirt on your filter actually helps collect other particles. But leaving the filter messy for too long can interrupt the flow of water. So make sure to clean the filter once in a while, but not overdo it either.

Inspect the Circulation System

The circulation system is comprised of the filter, drains, pump strainer, pump and the skimmer. This system helps the chemicals in the pool are evenly distributed and the water is properly filtered. Therefore, make sure to run the pump for at least an hour every day to make sure the filtration system is properly working and every element of the circulation system is in good shape.

Keep the Water Level in Check

Due to evaporation as well as constant use the water levels in your pools are inevitably going to drop. Make sure to add more water to bring the water back to the required level. If you ever need to completely drain the pool, for example, if you plan on renovating it, make sure not to leave it empty for too long as a drained pool may pop out of the ground.

Another important thing to check before winter takes hold is if the water level is dropping, which means there is a leak. Depending on the severity of the leak it might be difficult to determine whether the cause for the drop is evaporation or a possible leak. In this case, the best thing to do is seek professional help, as a leak in your pool can do a lot of damage around your home.

Photo: Ask the Pool Guy

Keep the Proper Chemical Levels

You should test the water in your pool on a regular basis to make sure it’s healthy and clean. The pH levels should be anywhere between 7.2 and 7.6. The alkalinity should be 80 to 120 parts per million, while the chlorine should be 1 to 3 per million.

Superchlorinate the Water

When organic contaminants interact with the chlorine they form chloramines, which give your pool a harsh odor. To prevent this from happening you should add a large amount of chlorine to your pool to eliminate the smell. Alternatively, you could consider adding salt water to your pool, as it eliminates the need for chlorine completely. You can read more about it here:

Vacuum and Brush

In order to decrease the amount of chemicals, you need to add make sure to vacuum the pool once every week. Use a stiff or a soft bristle for plaster or vinyl and fiberglass pool walls respectively. This will help get rid of calcium deposits and algae buildup.