Every pool owner dreams of having a crystal clear pool. When the sun hits the water and glistens, there’s a real sense of pride. Unfortunately, a beautiful pool with clear water isn’t always a clean one. Chlorine can’t do it all, so pool owners have to be diligent about keeping germs that can live in pool water under control.
That said, with regular water testing, routine water treatment, and a few other sensible precautions, water that’s clear and clean can be yours.
Possible residents of your pool water
The germs that can live in your pool water come from a variety of sources:
Trees and plants can drop debris such as leaves, twigs, and pollen into the pool year-round, but especially in the spring and fall.
Insect remains and bug parts carry their own unique microorganisms.
People! Sweat, lotions, oils, hair products, and more all contribute to the germ count in your pool.
If your swimming pool is properly maintained and has an active sanitation system, most of these germs shouldn’t cause you any sleepless nights. They’re natural side-effects of pool ownership, and are why regular chemical maintenance and treatment with effective products are a must.
Avoiding Germs
The CDC recommends following four simple steps to keep germs from ruining your next swim session:
1. Stay out of the water if you’re sick.
Most of the outbreaks linked to swimming pools are spread when one of the swimmers are sick with an infection or a gastrointestinal illness.
2. Shower before you get in the water
Showering for just a few minutes before swimming removes a vast majority of the potentially harmful dirt and oils from your body.
3. Don’t use the pool as a bathroom
If you need to use the bathroom, do just that — get out of the pool and go to the bathroom. You wouldn’t swim in the toilet would you?
4. Don’t swallow pool water
Just a single mouthful of tainted water can make you sick. If you’re thirsty, stick to the water fountain!
In addition to these four steps, there are some easy ways to tell how safe your pool water is. Firstly, you should be able to see the drain at the bottom of the pool, even in the deep end. Secondly, there should be little or no chemical odour; the smell of chlorine actually means that your chlorine is working overtime to kill germs and has probably lost most of its effectiveness already! Finally, use pool water test strips, a water test kit, or take your water to be tested; these can show you at a glance how safe the water really is.
Good, clean fun
With the help of All about pools, we can ensure that your pool stays clean and clear all year round!
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