Understanding the effects natural disasters can have on pools

The hidden dangers of flood water

Several types of flooding can occur. Flash floods are the result of a break in a levee or dam, or heavy rains in mountain areas above a flood plain. Flooding can be very destructive and cause contaminated water to rush quickly and overwhelm low-lying areas.

In coastal regions, storm surges and high tides can also cause flooding. For example, when Hurricane Sandy hit the coast of New Jersey, many service professionals reported finding live shrimp in their client’s pools after the floodwaters receded.

Floodwaters contain mud, silt, organic materials and, quite possibly, raw sewage that is loaded with bacteria. Whenever floodwaters enter a pool, it is best to drain all of the water. If this is not possible, the pool should be super-chlorinated to at least 20 ppm of chlorine at a pH of 7.5. The pool should be kept at 20 ppm for at least 15 hours to ensure all pathogenic organisms have been inactivated.

The use of a natural polymer flocculent can also help clear materials out via the pool filter. The filter should be thoroughly cleaned once the pool water has cleared. In agricultural areas or in phosphate mining regions, service professionals may also expect to find mass levels of nitrates and phosphates from floodwaters.

Be ready

There is no denying weather patterns are changing and in certain areas water itself has become a big challenge. Groundwater levels have sunk to catastrophic levels and regulators have imposed strict conservation laws as a result. The building, filling, or draining of pools has come under extreme scrutiny from many officials in these regions. Despite the fact it has been proven that pools require less water to maintain than a backyard lawn, they still fall in the crosshairs of lawmakers and private citizens.

Pool professionals need to be diligent during these times to ensure the industry does not become falsely targeted as water wasters.

Having a plan in place on how to conserve and prevent waste of pool water is needed ahead of time. As mentioned earlier, one of the largest water wasters is evaporation; therefore, if service professionals are diligent in doing what they can to reduce the evaporative loss of pool water, it goes a long way in demonstrating the industry’s pro-conservation efforts.

Solid covers work best; however, if they are not an option, a chemical liquid cover can be applied to help prevent water loss.

When the rains of El Nino start to move in, it is important to be prepared by making sure all pools are properly balanced. Super chlorinate after periods of heavy rains or flooding; test pool water for nitrates and phosphates, and be sure to use a good quality algaecide after the rains have passed.

The weather is hard to predict, but if service professionals are ready for anything, it can help them prevent pool water problems before they begin.

Terry Arko has more than 40 years of experience in the pool, spa and hot tub industry, working in service, repair, retail sales, chemical manufacturing, and product development. He is a certified pool operator (CPO) instructor through the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). He also serves as instructor for the Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) to certify residential pool techs. Arko is an active member on the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC). He is a member of Pool & Spa Marketing‘s Editorial Advisory Committee and currently serves as a water specialist for NC Brands, parent company of SeaKlear, Natural Chemistry and Coral Seas. He can be reached via e-mail at tarko@ncbrands.com.