In an interview with Pool & Spa Marketing, Brian Trenck, technical services manager at BioLab, Inc. spoke about managing the impact of the recent spate of wildfires on pool water composition.
He says exposure to wildfire smoke and ash can have various effects on pool water chemistry. The entry of ash and debris into the pool can raise the pH of the water due to the alkaline nature of carbon, potentially leading to cloudy water and promoting the growth of algae and bacteria.
The time it takes for pool water chemistry to return to normal after a wildfire can vary from a few days to weeks, depending on weather conditions and the presence of remnants in the atmosphere.
Trenck continued, to prevent ash and debris from the fires from entering the pool, pool owners can use automated or manual pool covers. It is important to clean off the covers before opening the pool to prevent debris from entering.
During a wildfire event, it is recommended to test pool water at least twice a week, although more frequent testing may be necessary depending on the pool and weather conditions. Pools facing wildfire smoke, combined with unpleasant weather, will see far more frequent changes in the water composition and must be checked more often.
Trenck advised on the use of chemicals to maintain proper chemical balance during a wildfire. Chemicals, such as granular pH decreaser or muriatic acid for pH control, can help maintain the balance. However, pool owners should ensure the circulation and filtration systems can handle the increased workload from the addition of the chemicals. Increasing pump run times or speed can improve water circulation and filtration. In some pools, using maintenance clarifiers or multi-functional products with water clarifiers can help keep the water clear.
To ensure filtration systems are working properly during a wildfire, pool owners should increase pump run times and regularly replace pressure gauges. Monitoring water flow into skimmers and out of returns can indicate when the filter needs backwashing or cleaning.
The expert further adds that the impact of risen pH is going to be in the decreased efficacy of most pool sanitization programs—which is why checking pH regularly is vital. Preventative algaecides may also be used once in high pH conditions. While the best treatment is to maximize chlorination of a pool in the form of a pool shock, algaecides will help tackle algae growth and increase the focus of the chlorine to kill bacteria and oxidate contaminants.
While there are no specific pool chemicals to be avoided during a wildfire, interactions between the chemicals and the contents of the water can temporarily cloud the water after application. However, this cloudiness should dissipate or be removed by the filter.
When asked if saltwater pool treatment should be dealt with differently, Trenck says for saltwater pools, owners should pay extra attention to pH adjustment, as chlorine generators produce hypochlorous acid (HCIO) based on pH levels. Ash minerals can also cause issues with electrolytic cells in the generators. Using a scale inhibitor designed for salt pools and removing problematic minerals such as phosphate can further help maintain water quality.
To minimize the impact of wildfires on pool water quality, Trenck concluded: “Routine water testing in combination with a good chemical program is key. It might be necessary to increase the sanitizer residual in the pool to maintain the appropriate levels. Whether that is done by increasing output levels in a pool floater or chemical feeder or by adding an extra chlorine tablet/stick to the skimmer, if that is the preferred method of application, maintaining a sanitizer residual closer to the upper end of the recommended one to four ppm range can help reduce the impact.”
