Water Chemistry: Five Steps For Maintaining Clean Pool Water

Summer time means pool time, and it is very important to keep swimming pools in top condition during swimming season. A sparkling blue swimming pool is easy to achieve by just following five simple steps: Skim and Brush, Balance, Chlorine, Shock, and Algaecide.

It is recommended to skim debris out of the pool daily. Make sure to remove leaves, insects, and other unwanted items with the use of a hand/leaf skimmer or a long-handled net. Once a week, clean the walls and floor by using a brush and a vacuum to keep the water clear and to minimize the amount of chemicals added to it.

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The water balance should be tested on weekly basis to ensure health and cleanliness. This is done by dipping a strip of paper in the water. The test strips contain dyes that change color. Just match the strip to the color chart to determine the pool’s pH level. Doing this determines which products the pool needs.

Chlorinate the water to sanitize it and kill bacteria. Stabilized chlorine products are available in tablets or sticks.

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Superchlorinate or “shock” the pool water once a week to get rid of the harsh odor and cloudiness.

Add algaecide to prevent algae from starting or growing in the pool. This should be added after every shock treatment.

By consistently doing these steps, the swimming pool can remain in good condition for years.

Find more resources on pool maintenance by visiting this Blue World Pools blog.

REPOST: Taking the plunge: vision for new Thames swimming pool revealed

River Thames may become home to a swimming pool in the future.  Architects working on this project reveal their vision in this article from the London Evening Standard.

Architects have unveiled their vision for a swimming pool in the Thames.

They believe the river will be clean enough for leisure use once Thames Water’s proposed supersewer is completed in 2023.

Cool pool: How the Thames Baths might look by Blackfriars Bridge. Image Source: www.standard.co.uk

The idea, encouraged by the growing popularity of “free swimming” in landmarks such as the Serpentine and Hampstead ponds, is being revealed at a London As It Could Be Now exhibition at the Royal Academy.

It is inspired by the popularity of the Thames as a swimming destination after the arrival in the capital of the first sewers.

Innovative design: Plans show the structure of the proposed baths. Image Source: www.standard.co.uk

When Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s sewer was completed in 1875, floating baths opened at Charing Cross.

Now Studio Octopi architects have suggested “reclaiming” part of the river beside Blackfriars bridge to create a floating 25m pool and plunge pool within the river, with floating pools on wooden and steel struts overhead.

It would allow people to swim in the Thames without being buffeted by currents or wash from boats. Rock cages, known as gabions, would be used for the walls of the river-level pools, while the elevated pools would be refilled at high tide with Thames water.

Free swimming: The floating pond would provide a leisure spot for outdoor swimming enthusiasts. Image Source: www.standard.co.uk

The foreshore of King Edward memorial park in Shadwell basin has also been earmarked as a potential site.

The Thames Baths project has been drawn up by Studio Octopi with Civic Engineers and Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects. Chris Romer-Lee, co-founder of Studio Octopi, said it was not about producing a “buildable scheme”, but “opening up people’s imaginations”.

He added: “When Bazalgette’s sewer was completed, everyone took to the water. When the supersewer is completed, the level of water quality will increase substantially.

“Why can’t that open up possibilities for Londoners to get increased access to the waterfront?”

Serving its customers for over 25 years, Blue World Pools is a renowned company of expert pool builders. Visit this website for more information.

Swimming pool sanitation in the summer heat

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The coming of spring makes the heat of summer inevitable. In a matter of weeks, the friendly breeze will become dry, warm air which seems to permeate home walls. To stay comfortable, some families opt for 24/7 air conditioning, but this brings electricity bills to an alarming total. An enjoyable alternative is to go for a dip in the cool waters of a pool.


Backyard swimming pools are fairly easy to maintain, but most households cannot afford to have one installed at a whim. Most suburban districts, however, do allow residents to enjoy free use of public pools. In these places, safety becomes the primary concern, as the lifeguard-to-swimmer ratio diminishes throughout the day. In addition to the worry brought about by losing children in the crowd, the sheer number of people sharing the same small space also raises some red flags concerning hygiene.

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Several recently published articles online claim that even chlorinated pool water may contain traces of E. coli resulting from an ineffective water purifying process. It is often inevitable for those swimming in a large pool to swallow some amount of water. While adults are capable of spitting it back out, most children unknowingly swallow this potentially contaminated water.


Swimming pool sanitation is a round-the-clock process. Water, particularly in public pools, should always be pH tested for contaminants and harmful bacteria. Likewise, residents who visit public pools should be vigilant, making sure to shower with soap before and after using the pool, and reminding their children not to ingest any of the chlorinated water.

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Water sanitation is essential in a safe and enjoyable swimming experience. Blue World Pools helps families install all types of pools, equipped with self-cleaning and water purifying systems. Read more about the company’s services on this website.