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 clean, properly maintained, and has an active sanitation system, most of these germs in the water 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.
Unfortunately, regular doses of chlorine alone aren’t always strong enough to take care of every germ living in your water. Some germs, such as the dreaded Cryptosporidium (“Crypto” for short) are chlorine-tolerant. Without proper treatment, Crypto can make anyone that swims in your pool sick. For more information on the treatment and prevention of germs like Crypto, we highly recommend consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guide to Healthy Swimming.
Avoiding Germs in the Pool
The CDC recommends following four simple steps to keep germs from ruining your next swim session:
Stay out of the water if you are sick.
Shower before you get in the pool.
Do not use the pool as a bathroom.
Do not swallow pool water.
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 is 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. It’s hard to maintain clean pool water if the swimmers aren’t clean, too.
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 clean and safe your pool water is. First, you should be able to see the drain at the bottom of the pool, even in the deep end. Second, there should be little or no chemical odor; 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 Pool Water Fun
To ensure your pool water is always clean, safe, and ready for fun, get the most accurate test results by bringing a water sample into your local Leslie’s as often as you’d like for a free water test. Our in-store test provides a detailed treatment plan, and everything you need to get the job done can be found in our stores. If there are issues with the cleanliness of your pool water, our in-store experts can help you diagnose the problem. With their help, you can ensure that your pool stays clean and clear all summer long!
source: https://lesliespool.com/blog/keeping-your-pool-water-clean-healthy-and-sanitary.html