Common problems

Problem	Cause	Treatment
Water Cloudy	1. Dirty Filter	Excessive build-up of dirt may cause enamelling in the filter. Clean according to manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure weekly backwashing.
	2. Insufficient Filtration	The pump may not be large enough or circulation may be poor. Check pump is large enough for pool and that circulation is adequate.
	3. Too short a filtration cycle	During the season pool filter should run for 1 hour per 4,000 litres daily. Backwash filter then run for correct time.
	4. Filter sand in poor condition	Check sand condition and replace if necessary.
	5. Not maintaining correct level of free available chlorine	Check chlorine level. It should be maintained between 1.5 and 3.0 p.p.m.
	6. Early algae growth	Lack of chlorine, or pH level incorrect. Superchlorinate with Bluewater Granular Pool Chlorine at rate of 400 g per 10,000 litres.
	7. Water out of balance.	Check pH, pH buffer and calcium hardness levels and adjust as required.
	8. Suspended particles too small for filter to remove.	Carry out flocculation using Bluewater Pool Floc or Super Floc.
Algae growth	1. Incorrect levels of chlorine	Brush walls and floor of pool. Vacuum and backwash. Superchlorinate with Bluewater Granular Pool Chlorine at rate of 400g per 10,000 litres
	2. Incorrect pH level, causing poor sanitiser efficiency.	Filter continuously for 48 hours, check pH and readjust as required. If algae reappear, check for hidden spots which may be harbouring algae.
Chlorine odour	1. Insufficient chlorine, ie, not enough free available chlorine to destroy chloramines.	Superchlorinate with Bluewater Granular Pool Chlorine at rate of 400g per 10,000 litres, then maintain free available chlorine level at 1.5 to 3.0 p.p.m.
Eye, Skin irritation	1. Incorrect pH, either too low or too high	Check water balance and adjust as required.
	2. Excessive chlorine level.	Check and dilute pool water if necessary.
	3. Not enough chlorine, ie presence of chloramines	Superchlorinate with Bluewater Granular Pool Chlorine at the rate of 400 g per 10,000 litres.
Filter blockage	1. Insufficient backwashing or cleaning.	Filter must be kept clean – carry out cleaning according to manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure regular backwashing.
	2. Scale depositing.	Check and adjust water balance.
Coloured water, but clear	1. Dissolved metal ions owing to corrosion. Reddish-brown = iron Blue-green = copper Brown-Black = manganese	Check water balance and adjust it. Carry out a flocculation – see Bluewater Pool Floc or Bluewater Super Floc.
	2. Old water with a high total dissolved solids content.	Water should be diluted with tap water.