It’s summer, It’s the holidays, and it’s time to have fun in the sun with the kids by the pool! However, with a higher bather load over the festive season, it is important to make sure the water is kept free of contaminants and safe to swim in. Let’s talk about some of the reasons it is important to sanitise the pool after excessive use.
Algae
Algae are aquatic, plant-like organisms that grow through photosynthesis. This is the process in which light is transformed into energy that is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen. Therefore, Algae is likely to grow faster when exposed to more sunlight.
Green algae are the most common type of algae that is found in swimming pools. It can grow on the walls and floor of the pool or it can float in the water.
Green algae can often infest the entire pool over night or in a matter of hours, especially after very hot days, after a high bather load, or when there is not enough sanitiser in the water.
Contaminants
There are many contaminants that can cause the water to become unsanitised and unsafe to swim in. An example of this is suntan lotion.
Suntan lotion containing oils and dirt from bathers’ skin gets washed into the water during swimming. This can cause the water to become cloudy and unsafe to swim in.
Water loss
With a high bather load, especially kids jumping in and out of the pool, there tends to be more water spillage than usual. Another cause of water loss after excessive use is due to additional backwashing. Along with this water loss comes the loss of chemicals.
Dirt and Debris
When kids run around on the grass and then jump into the pool, this can cause additional dirt and debris to enter the pool. This would cause the water to become cloudy and unsanitised.
The Solution?
Sanitation! The Pool Team recommends sanitising the pool after excessive use to kill all these contaminants and to make sure the water is clean and safe to swim in the next day.
Don’t let these contaminants sit in the filter! It is vital to backwash and rinse the pool on a weekly basis to remove contaminants from the filter and allow new chemicals to work effectively. Learn here how to backwash and rinse.
Aqua Pro Chlorine can be found at any of The Pool Team stores in the form of a floater or granular chlorine. Floaters can be kept in the pool in addition to using granular chlorine on a regular basis to maintain the free chlorine level in the water. Learn here how to add chlorine to your pool.
Contact a professional at any of The Pool Team stores for further advice on why to sanitise the pool after excessive use.