Can Phosphates Cause Cloudy Pool Water?

Cloudy pool water is an issue nobody wants to have. It’s unsightly, a bit gross, and unsettling to guests. If you want to know how to get rid of a cloudy pool, you first need to know what’s causing it. Phosphates may be a contributing factor, but how much of a role do they really play in pool water cloudiness?

What Are Phosphates?

Phosphates are naturally occurring organic materials that can appear in your pool water. They may come from fertilizer, rotting leaves, and your city’s water supply. Most pools have some phosphates in them, and it may be impossible to completely remove them. In fact, some pool cleaners are even phosphorus-based!

Do Phosphates Make Pool Water Cloudy?

For the health of your pool, it’s important to maintain low levels of phosphates. At high enough levels, you’ll start to notice algae, which can lead to cloudiness in your pool water. This will also negatively affect the chlorine levels of your pool, which affects the overall health of the water.

What Else Makes Pool Water Cloudy?

Phosphates aren’t the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to maintaining your pool. Calcium levels can also affect your pool water’s cloudiness. 

Can low calcium cause cloudy pool water? While there are issues that can be caused by low calcium, it’s actually high calcium levels that will make your pool water cloudy. 

Another problem is that sunscreen can make pool water cloudy, too. Unfortunately, it interacts with the chlorine in the water, causing cloudiness from chemical imbalances. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear sunscreen, though–it’s just something you will have to be mindful of.

How Can I Test for Phosphates in My Pool Water?

Testing for phosphates in your pool water is easy. Not every pool testing kit checks for phosphate levels, so you may need to buy a separate kit specifically for that purpose.

It takes levels of around 1,000 parts per billion to cause an algae problem (which can be the source of cloudiness), and your goal is to keep those levels as low as possible.

How to Lower Phosphate Levels in a Pool

Before you begin any pool treatment to remove or lower the level of phosphates, you should first test the water. Once you’ve determined that the levels are too high, remove any debris and backwash your pool filter. 

Add a store-bought phosphate remover and run your filter for forty-eight hours. You’ll need to backwash your filter again before retesting the phosphate levels.

Wrapping Up

Phosphates in pool water are inevitable, but too much can cause issues, including cloudy water. Thankfully, this issue is fixable with products you can buy at a pool store. 

If you’re looking for more tips and tricks on keeping your pool looking cloud-free, contact Pool Care Guy or check out more of our content to become a pool maintenance pro!