Why is my pool green?

Algae is common, but not the only explanation

Insufficient sanitiser, poor circulation and inadequate filtration can contribute to algae problems. Warm conditions, debris and changes in pool use can also make an existing maintenance problem more noticeable.

Dissolved metals can discolour water too. For example, copper can be associated with blue-green colour. A photo can help describe the problem, but it cannot reliably distinguish every cause. Adding more products before checking may make the situation harder to understand.

Gather useful information before asking for help

You do not need to diagnose the pool yourself. A clear account of what happened helps a suitable pool professional plan the assessment.

• When did the colour change, and was it gradual or sudden?
• Can you see the floor clearly, and is there visible debris or growth?
• What are the latest water-test results, and when were they taken?
• Is the pump operating normally, and are there any warning messages?
• Which chemicals were recently added, and was there rain, runoff or a water top-up?
• What type of filter, sanitiser and pool surface do you have?

Recovery is different from a routine clean

A standard cleaning visit has an agreed scope for an otherwise functioning pool. Green-pool recovery may involve diagnosis, repeated testing, specialist cleaning and more than one visit. Equipment faults or substantial contamination can add a separate problem that needs to be resolved first.

Ask a recovery provider to explain the planned work, expected review points, chemical costs and how additional visits are charged. A fixed promise to clear every pool by tomorrow leaves out important differences between pools. The realistic approach is to assess the condition and explain the uncertainty.

Avoid a chemical guessing game

Do not mix chemicals or copy a dose from another pool. The appropriate treatment depends on water volume, current readings, products already present and the equipment. Follow product instructions and qualified advice, including any restrictions on returning to the water.

Poor visibility is an additional reason to keep the pool out of use. Clear water after treatment is encouraging, but it is not by itself confirmation that the water is ready for swimming. Ask how the outcome will be checked.

Build a maintenance plan after recovery

Once the cause has been addressed and the pool is suitable for routine care, agree who handles testing, cleaning and equipment checks between visits. Keep records of the recovery work so a future service provider knows what changed.

Pool Legends provides routine residential cleaning and maintenance across the Central Coast. Green-pool recovery is not part of the current service offer. Arrange a qualified recovery assessment first; we can discuss ongoing maintenance once the pool is ready.

A few useful answers.