You mainly get into your swimming pool to cool off, not to get clean like in your shower. Still, your pool must remain clean and safe to swim in. Otherwise, you risk yourself or your family members getting recreational water illnesses.
Recreational water illnesses have the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Ear pain
- Eye pain
- Cough or congestion
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “you can get recreational water illnesses if you swallow, have contact with, or breathe in mists or aerosols from water contaminated with germs.”
So before diving into the pool, watch out for the following signs it isn’t safe for swimming:
A strong smell of chlorine
It’s a common misconception that a strong smell of chlorine indicates pool cleanliness, but it’s the opposite. The distinct “pool smell” is from chloramine, a chlorine byproduct, which reacts to sweat, urine, hair, skin, and other contaminants.
As such, a strong smell doesn’t mean there’s too much chlorine. It means there are too many contaminants for the chlorine content in your pool to deal with. And why would you want to swim in a dirty pool?
Cloudy or murky water
Another clear sign that your pool might need cleaning before swimming is cloudy or discolored water. If you can see the bottom of the pool without any difficulty, it’s probably clean. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn’t mean germ-free.
On the other hand, though, different forms of pool water discoloration have different meanings. For one, cloudy water indicates a chemical imbalance. The water may have high mineral content, which renders the chlorine ineffective in fighting off bacteria and viruses in the water.
If your pool water is not only cloudy but also green, that’s a sign of algae growth. Algae make the pool slippery, resulting in higher chances of injuries and drowning. Other discolorations can signal the presence of other contaminants, so your pool definitely needs cleaning.
Presence of foam or bubbles
It’s normal to have traces of lotion, sunscreen, or soap in your body when getting into your pool. But over time, if your water isn’t cleaned, these substances form a high concentration of bacteria, filling your pool with contaminants.
This manifests through the formation of foam or bubbles. These indicate that your pool water has enough contaminants to keep bubbles due to strong surface tension.
Unbalanced pH levels
You must always check your pool water’s pH level. Your pool’s pH levels can go as low as 0 and as high as 14, with the former indicating acidity and the latter indicating a base.
According to the CDC, a pH level of 7.2-7.8 is ideal, since this indicates neutrality.
If the pool water’s pH level is up, chlorine becomes less effective in killing germs. If the level goes too low, the ability of chlorine to kill germs increases, but it leads to faster corrosion or breakdown of your pool’s pipes.
This is why it’s always important to check the water’s pH levels. Increasing and lowering the pH levels in your pool ensures you can swim safely without worrying about your pool parts and equipment condition.
Keep Your Pool’s pH Balanced
Poolsmith Technologies provides non-toxic acids for your swimming pool, helping it keep a balanced pH level. Contact us at 480-570-5716 or fill out our online form for queries.
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