Having a pool at home is both luxurious and relaxing. It’s great for summertime and especially refreshing after a long day at work or school. However, while enjoying the ambience of a cool drink by the pool, you might notice a few things being off. Namely, the water in the pool is a bit yellowish in tint. Additionally, there’s a foul odor that seems to permeate the entire pool environment. These are two issues that might arise if you don’t take proper care of the water in your pool. As a result, you’ll end up with an unpleasant experience.
Fortunately, since iron is both toxic and harmful to the environment, it’s not difficult to remove from water. In fact, there’s a simple process that you can perform to ensure that your pool water is crystal clear and possesses no impurities. Keep reading for more information.
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Identify The Source Of The Iron In Your Pool
As mentioned earlier, your pool water might be polluted with iron. It’s basically colorless and odorless, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with a source. For instance, industrial activity near where you live could be the culprit. Iron content in drinking water can vary from 0.3 ppm to 3.0 ppm. However, anything above 1.0 ppm is considered safe for people.
As a result, it’s important to determine the original source of the iron in your pool. You can do this by simply testing a random sample of the water. Request a few bottles from your local water utility and test them for iron content. If you’re lucky, it’ll be 0.3 ppm or less. However, if the test results come back above 1.0 ppm, then it’s time for a serious conversation about finding a new place to live.
The Importance Of pH
One of the most critical things to keep in mind when trying to remove iron from your pool is pH balance. Just like acid and alkali, the pH level of the water can vary greatly, which determines its quality. For instance, if the pH level is 6.5 or 7.0, then the water is considered alkaline. Anything below 6.0 is considered acidic. The closer the pH level is to 7.0, the more alkaline the water is. So if you want crystal clear pool water with no impurities, then try and maintain a pH level of 7.0 or above.
The presence of too much iron can result in all sorts of problems for the water organism. The most notable being chlorosis. Also known as green sickness, chlorosis is the condition where the leaves of plants become dull and yellowish in color. While it might not seem like a problem at first, it can cause serious damage to the land over time. That’s why it’s important to keep iron out of your pool. To do this, you need to have a pH level above 7.0, which will help keep iron out of the water and in the soil.
How To Remove Iron From Pool Water
Now that you know the issues that arise when there’s too much or too little iron in your pool, it’s time to figure out how to get rid of it. Fortunately, there’s a simple process that can be followed to ensure that your pool water is pure and contains no impurities. Since iron is both harmful and toxic to the environment, it’s important that you do your part in keeping it out of your water supply. This process is known as iron deprivation, and it basically entails keeping the level of iron in your pool below a certain point. To do this, install a water filter cartridge into your pool’s water spray system. The cartridge will remove particles from the water as it flows through, keeping the pool clean and sparkling clear. If you’re using a saltwater pool, then you might also want to consider investing in a water softener system. This is especially important if you live in an area where heavy rain falls, as the salt content in the water can clog up your pipes and lead to other issues down the line. Having a water softener also allows you to adjust the pH level of the water without fear of breaking down piping or hardware.
As a general rule of thumb, if the level of iron in your water is above 0.3 ppm, then it’s time to take action. Also, it might not be a bad idea to check with your local fish and wildlife department to see if there are any restrictions about swimming in your particular area. Some jurisdictions might forbid you from keeping a saltwater pool, while others might limit the amount of pollutants that can be in the water. So find out what’s permissible in your area and stick to it. You’ll be happier in the long run if you follow the rules and don’t have to worry about impurities in the water.
The simple process discussed here can help ensure that your pool water is clean, safe, and free of impurities. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to keep your pool in good condition all year long. Also, try and keep an eye out for any changes in the water’s pH level. If it drops below 6.0, then it’s time for a water change. And just like that, you’re now equipped with the knowledge needed to keep your pool clean and sparkling clear. So go out there and enjoy your summertime!