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The Czech Republic is a paradise for pools – up to a third of households have them on their property, making us one of the world leaders in this regard. Whether large or small, above-ground or in-ground, indoor or outdoor, all pools require proper maintenance. In our article, you'll learn how to ensure crystal-clear and safe water throughout the season for carefree water fun.
Before you even begin preparing your pool for the season, you need to answer one key question: What water should you fill the pool with? Generally, water from a deep well or the water supply is most suitable for this purpose. These waters are the least contaminated, whether mechanically or organically, and therefore do not require as meticulous maintenance.
Water from shallow dug wells is more contaminated both organically and mechanically, so it needs to be properly filtered and treated before filling, as microorganisms multiply quickly in the pool. A popular solution is also filling the pool with rainwater, but it also needs to be properly treated using rainwater filters. Additionally, rainwater is acidic, so you will need to adjust its pH.
Before filling, don't forget to clean the walls and bottom of the pool, check the sand in the pool filter, and rinse or replace it if necessary. After filling, check the water quality and adjust it accordingly.
The waterworks or water authority that issued your permit for groundwater extraction may require you to fill the pool gradually over several days, possibly at night outside peak withdrawal times. Find out your daily limit to avoid violating withdrawal conditions. Excessive withdrawal could cause a drop in pressure in the network at your home and your neighbors', or in the case of a private source, a drop in the water level in surrounding wells.
If you still want to fill the pool immediately, you can order a water tanker from the local water company. You pay a one-time fee for the water and transport, with no volume restrictions. Due to the potential overload of the wastewater treatment plant, it is also advisable to drain the pool gradually after the season. Discharging pool water onto your own property is prohibited by law due to the potential contamination of groundwater with pool chemicals.
The most dangerous is organic contamination, meaning contamination by algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms. These can cause health issues such as skin and mucous membrane irritation, infections, or diarrhea. Algae also settle on the pool walls, creating an unpleasant slippery slime. Organic contamination also causes unsightly cloudiness and odor in the water, resulting in green or milky pool water.
Another typical problem for pools is contamination with coarse debris, such as leaves, insects, grass, etc. The risk of this contamination is particularly high for uncovered pools. These impurities are not only unsightly and unpleasant but also decompose quickly in the pool, causing further water quality issues.
Pool water must also have optimal pH, alkalinity, and hardness, and possibly iron content. If these values are not maintained, it leads to water cloudiness, reduced effectiveness of pool chemicals, skin and mucous membrane irritation, and corrosion of metal parts of the pool.
Check the pool water at least once a week and after each refill, using two methods:
● visually check if the pool water is cloudy; the water should be clear and free of discoloration and odor,
● use special tests to measure the pH, alkalinity, and hardness of the water.
Proper pool maintenance then consists of 3 steps: cleaning, disinfection, and water adjustment. All 3 steps should be performed preventively, but also reactively when contamination is detected.
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Pool water must be clear and sparkling.
Due to potential health issues, pool disinfection is the most important step. Microorganisms multiply very quickly in pools, especially on hot days. Disinfection is typically carried out using chlorine-based water cleaning tablets specifically designed for pools. However, if you are looking for a gentler and more eco-friendly solution, choose one of the other options:
● Active oxygen-based disinfection: it is gentler than chlorine disinfection, but it cannot be used in combination with chlorine, as both disinfectants would be ineffective.
● UV lamps: they can be easily added to the pool circuit. UV radiation kills microorganisms, but for 100% disinfection, chlorine must also be added to the water, but only about one-fifth of the usual amount.
● Saltwater chlorinator: this device produces chlorine from special pool salt through electrolysis, so the water is slightly salty. Chlorine is present in the water only in a small amount.
For removing mechanical impurities from the pool, sand filtration is most commonly used. The sand filter medium needs to be cleaned by backwashing at least once every 14 days or more frequently depending on usage. The lifespan of the sand medium is about 2 years, after which it needs to be replaced. For smaller pools, a cartridge pool filter can also be used.
Additionally, it is advisable to clean the pool walls and bottom with a pool vacuum; manual or robotic options are available on the market, which clean the pool automatically. Regular use of a pool vacuum reduces the clogging of the sand filter medium. Larger debris on the surface can be removed with a simple net with a handle.
To maintain a clean pool, prevention is also important. Always shower before entering the pool and avoid using greasy cosmetic products. Covering or enclosing the pool significantly reduces contamination.
Contaminated pool water is dangerous.
The pump, along with the filter, is the most important pool accessory. Pumps ensure water circulation in the pool, allowing for the dispersion of pool chemicals and water cleaning, i.e., its flow through the filter.
Choosing a pool pump should primarily depend on the size of the pool in m3. Based on this, the appropriate pumping power is determined. Additionally, when selecting, focus on the energy consumption and noise level of the pool pump. You should run the pump daily for about 6 hours or as needed.
The last but equally important step is water adjustment using pool chemicals. Specifically, it is essential to maintain the appropriate pH, alkalinity, and hardness of the water.
The ideal pH of pool water is between 7.0-7.4, with limit values of 6.5-7.6. High pH in the pool (alkaline water) causes water cloudiness, reduces the effectiveness of disinfectants, and irritates the skin and eyes. Conversely, too low pH in the pool (acidic water) causes corrosion and irritation. pH is closely linked to the alkalinity of the pool water, which should be between 80-120 ppm. With higher or lower alkalinity, it is impossible to achieve the appropriate pH value. Both alkalinity and pH can be increased or decreased using pool chemicals.
It is also necessary to adjust overly hard or iron-rich water. Although these substances are not harmful to health even in high amounts, they cause unsightly cloudiness and discoloration of the water and stains on the pool walls.
Proper pool maintenance is important for enjoying summer moments. If you follow our advice, nothing will spoil your water fun.
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