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Why You Shouldn’t Swim in a Pool With Algae, Part 1

Last updated on September 21, 2020 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

swimming pool green algae problem

When we think about swimming in a pool, most of us imagine taking a refreshing dip in cool, sparkling clear water without even a hint of discoloration. Unfortunately, unless you’re completely meticulous about pool maintenance, our pools don’t always look quite so inviting. In fact, sometimes they can be downright discolored and ugly!

But does a bit of cloudiness and discoloration really have to spoil your summertime fun? After all, oceans, rivers, and lakes all tend to accumulate algae in them, yet we don’t avoid these bodies of water. So why is algae in your pool such a big problem? Perhaps you or your family members have thought or even expressed these same sentiments. Maybe, when you get ready to plunge into your pool on a hot day only to discover that the water has turned a sickly green, you find yourself wondering, “Is visible algae really that bad?”

dirty green swimming pool water

In these two articles, we’ll take a look at some important reasons why you shouldn’t get into your pool when there is visible algae in the water. No matter how tempted you may be, there are some differences between your pool and natural bodies of water that can make it an unwise decision to venture into the pool if the water has a greenish hue.

swimming pool water ph test tubes

A Man-made Pool and a Natural Body of Water Just Aren’t the Same

In case you’ve ever wondered if you can compare the water in your pool to the water in a lake or pond, the answer is no. That’s why you have to add pool chemicals to the pool in your backyard but not to your nearby lake. And that’s also why swimming in greenish lake water is often safe while swimming in greenish pool water isn’t. It all has to do with the type of system the body of water has: open or closed.

With an open system, such as a lake, there’s a natural continuous dilution that takes place in the water. There are also plants and aquatic life forms in the lake or pond that work to take bacteria and toxins out of the water. The ecosystem of a lake or pond that hasn’t suffered from the effects of too much pollution will normally remain in a delicate natural balance. As long as this balance is restored, it will keep the number of algae in the water at a safe level for swimming.

trying to clean swimming pool water

A pool, on the other hand, doesn’t have this type of natural dilution in place. Unless the water is drained and refilled, or it gets an excessive amount of rainwater in it, the water will sit in the pool in the same kind of stagnant way the water sits in a swamp. That doesn’t sound very inviting, does it? Thankfully, there are ways you can take care of any algae buildup that does end up in your pool. In the next article in this series, we’ll consider why algae, though not harmful in and of itself, can indicate the presence of harmful bacteria in your pool.

comparing pool ph strip against chart

Continue Reading about Pools

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Lyon Financial: America’s Leading Pool Lender

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.

Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Swimming Pools

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