LaMotte Pool Manager Water Quality Handbook - Manual (Page 40)

Colored Water
Clear, colorless pool water is the goal, but sometimes it is
difficult to achieve. Colored water is a nuisance caused
by oxidized metals and algae, and can result in stained
pool surfaces. A turbid green pool water condition is
usually attributed to algae. To gain a better
understanding of algae treatment see the section on
algae earlier in this chapter.
Water color resulting from oxidized metals is translucent
in its early stages. Green, red, brown, and black are some
of the more common colors produced by dissolved
metals. Green , red or brown colors are usually produced
by iron. Blue or blue-green water is due to copper.
Brown or black color is usually due to manganese, but
iron can also cause these colors. These metals can come
from the water source or result from corrosion of pipes or
fixtures.
Often these colored water conditions
appear after a pool is first filled or after
a shock treatment. If the fill water
contains metals it should be treated
with a sequestering agent and filtered
prior to chlorine additions. A shock
treatment can cause metals to oxidize
which allows them to fall out of
solution and become more visually apparent.
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Black?
Green?
Red?
Brown?