Clear, blue water is the goal of many pool owners.
While a majority of pools are cleaned with chlorine, an increasing number of people are concerned about negative side effects associated with the use of chemicals. In response, pool owners have developed a variety of eco-friendly cleaning techniques to prevent and cure any unsightly green discoloration of the pool's water. Does this Spark an idea?
Causes
Green water is caused by algae. An algae bloom can turn a clear pool into a murky, green one overnight. The microscopic plants enter the pool through rainfall or by being blown into the pool by the wind. Some algae attach to the sides of the pool, while others float freely in the water. Either way, their presence is enough to deter even the hardiest of swimmers.
Salt
Using salt to keep pool water clean is a simple and effective method. The downside is that the salt itself is turned into chlorine, though the concentrations are much smaller than those found in traditionally chlorinated pools. Salt water pools have lower evaporation rates than their heavily chlorinated counterparts -- which is particularly important in arid areas with water conservation considerations.
Plants
So-called "natural pools" use plants to keep a pool's water clean by starving the algae of nutrients. The practice gained popularity in Europe and has since spread to the U.S. Plants associated with natural pools include hornwort, anacharis, canna lilies, marsh marigolds and water lilies. The plants need about a year to establish their root systems before the deterioration of any algae becomes noticeable. Visit the nearest unpolluted lake, pond or swimming hole and take cuttings from plants found there.
Prevention
Rotting vegetation can discolor a pool's water as much as an algae bloom. Covering the pool with a waterproof tarpaulin or specially-made cover will help prevent leaf litter and unwanted organisms from falling into the pool when it's not in use. A cover also has the added benefit of preventing water loss caused through evaporation. Planting shrubs and native plants around a pool helps prevent the wind from blowing algae into the water.
Tags: pool water, algae bloom, associated with, into pool, keep pool
