Cloudy Milky Pool Water

In some swimming pools, cloudy milky water is a common problem. It is often due to neglect of the circulation or disinfecting system. To narrow down the source of the problem, follow these steps:

1. Check the chemical disinfectant levels. A low quantity of disinfectant quickly turns pool water cloudy.
2. If chlorine is sufficient, the next step is to check the pump. Check to make sure it's running. If not, sometimes a tripped circuit breaker or loose connection can be the problem. If you can't get the pump started, you'll need to call an electrician or your pool service company.
3. If the pump is okay, check the hair and lint strainers. Clogged strainers can stop circulation. Air bubbles could also be getting into the system via a loose lid on the hair and lint strainer. This causes aeration of the pool water, which can give it an "off" color.
4. If the strainers are working fine, check the pool filter. If you use a DE filter, make sure the DE isn't returning to the pool, as this will turn the water milky white.
5. Lastly, check the water balance. If one of the chemicals out of recommended parameters, it can cause cloudiness.

Source: The Complete Swimming Pool Reference

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