The main reasons for cloudy pool water are typically related to water chemistry imbalance, filtration issues, or contaminants. Common causes include:
- High calcium levels or hard water combined with high pH, leading to lime scale precipitation.
- Low or improper levels of free chlorine, allowing bacteria, algae, or other microorganisms to multiply.
- High chlorine levels causing chemical reactions that produce tiny particles.
- Poor filtration due to clogged or malfunctioning filters, or insufficient runtime of the filter pump.
- Environmental debris like dirt, pollen, sunscreen, oils, or organic matter suspended in the water.
- After heavy pool use or shocking the pool, which can temporarily cause cloudiness.
- Incorrect balance of cyanuric acid (chlorine stabilizer) affecting chlorine efficiency.
Fixing cloudy water involves balancing pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium levels, cleaning or backwashing the filter, removing debris, and sometimes partially draining and refilling the pool if calcium or cyanuric acid is too high. Pool shock treatments and clarifiers may also help clear the water.
