Don’t worry, it is completely normal to have phosphates in your pool. Since cities have started to use phosphonic acid based products in the water treatment process to prevent corrosion, it’s no surprise that we see many pool owners with higher than normal levels of phosphates. Every time they fill up their pool from their garden hose, more and more phosphates are being released into the pool, increasing this level.

But that’s not the only way that phosphates enter your pool! They also come from certain pool chemicals, rotten leaves or debris that enter your pool during the summer season, fertilizers, residue from swimmer’s skin, hair products, and even the byproducts of jet fuel when planes fly overhead.

As we mentioned before, low to normal levels of phosphates are safe to swim in, however, it’s when the levels rise that there is cause for concern. Extremely high levels, which are in and around 1,000 ppb, make it much more difficult to keep your water clear and healthy. This is why it is so important to keep an eye out for your phosphate levels when checking your water chemistry, throughout the summer.

It's best to stop by and visit our water testing center monthly to have your phosphate levels tested and your water balanced (available at all locations). Here our experts will be able to test your water, check to see if your water is safe to swim in, and what any potential issues may arise. The prevention of any water problems takes much less time and is less costly than having to solve those issues after they show themselves.

To keep your phosphate levels in check, be sure to prevent any debris, rotten leaves, or organic materials from entering and remaining in your pool. You’ll also want to follow the same steps that we recommend for preventing algae in your pool:

1. Fill your chlorinator, brominator, or skimmer basket with pucks, ensuring you have ~2-4 ppm of chlorine available at all times.
2. Give your pool a quick brush and use the Omni Shimmer, adding 1 bag per 40,000L of water (weekly) into your skimmer
3. Add a capful of Pool Perfect Max per 40,000L of water (weekly) into your skimmer.

If your phosphate levels do get too high during the pool season, we recommend visiting one of our locations, having your water tested, and speaking with one of our experts. They can recommend a number of solutions that will help you deal with the problem head-on and get rid of the phosphates quickly.

We understand that dealing with a green or cloudy pool is never a fun time! Not only can it be costly, but it also prevents you from spending time and enjoying your pool. That’s why our experts and water testing center are available. Our staff can quickly test your water, provide a solution, and have you on your way to a crystal clear and safe pool in no time. So while dealing with phosphate levels or cloudy water may be frustrating, just know that you never have to face it alone as we’re always here to help. Happy swimming!