Home Remedies for Reducing Phosphate Levels in Swimming Pools

Having a swimming pool in your backyard has a lot of benefits and adds beauty to your home. Along with being a place of regular exercise, it is also a space for having fun and enjoying with your family and friends.

But swimming pools require regular maintenance. Your swimming pool will get dirty and develop an unhygienic quality if it is not cleaned regularly. One of the biggest problems you are likely to face is unwanted algae growth due to high amounts of phosphates.

Phosphates are an important nutrition source for plants like algae. As per Health Canada, algae are not dangerous, but they decrease the effectiveness of sanitizers like chlorine in swimming pools. Algae also make the surface of the pool slippery and the water dirty which can lead to contamination and foul odor. By maintaining low phosphate levels in swimming pools, you can limit algae growth. Tap water, suntan oils, dust, rain, water runoff, fertilizer, and decaying organic compounds contribute to algae growth in swimming pools as they all contain phosphate.

Preventing Phosphates in swimming pools

Organic matter like dead leaves, insect debris, skin cells, and sweat decays and breaks down to phosphates. People should shower before entering the pool to get rid of sweat, residue of soaps, and dead skin cells. Removing debris immediately by brushing and skimming the swimming pool and cleaning the skimmer baskets regularly helps in avoiding high concentration of phosphate. As per International Plant Nutrition Institute, phosphates are often added to fertilizers as plants need this mineral for growth. Contamination of pools due to water coming from gardens and lawns should be prevented. Leaf blowers should also be used with care as they can introduce pollutants and fertilizers into the pool.

Proper pool maintenance

Maintaining the swimming pool properly includes assuring good water circulation in dead zones, running the pool pump for an appropriate amount of time, using pool filters, and cleaning the pool regularly. Proper levels of sanitizers should be maintained. Chlorine eliminates organic waste, and maintaining adequate chlorine levels will prevent the growth of algae. But it cannot destroy the more stubborn algae particles that grow due to phosphate levels. Many pool stores have enzyme and mineral based phosphate eliminators which prevent the buildup of phosphate without using aggressive chemicals in the pool. The products can be used regularly to prevent phosphate contamination. It can help in avoiding over-use of chlorine in swimming pools.

Overall maintenance

A routine that includes maintaining sanitizer levels, using natural phosphate removers, removing debris, regular brushing and skimming, and showering before entering the pool will ensure the prevention of phosphate buildup and algae growth. These measures will allow slower chlorine consumption, decreasing eye and skin irritation. Maintaining the pool regularly is the best home remedy for decreasing phosphate levels in swimming pools.

Penny is an expert associated with BonaVista, a popular online store for products like custom Pools Toronto and hot tubs. If you are considering installing custom pools, contact BonaVista that offers top of the line accessories for the same. 

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