Ever thought about how they keep the water in a pool so clean? Actually it is a very basic system that helps remove the dirt and debris from the pool leaving the water sparkling. Filtering pool water can be viewed as a step-down process. The larger objects are removed in the first stage then the sequential steps remove smaller contaminates all the way down to any harmful bacteria. There are three main components to a filtration system for a pool.
The first step in cleaning the water involves getting rid of the bigger contaminates like leaves and sticks. This is usually done by a skimmer for above ground pools and sometimes a floor drain for in-ground pools. In either case there is a screen or a basket that allows the water and smaller particles to flow through but traps all the bigger objects. The basket is usually manually removed and emptied by the user. It is a very trivial task and only takes a matter of seconds to empty the waste.
After the water and dirt pass through the skimmer basket it will continue on to a second filter. This filter is used to collect all the other dirt and grime that the previous filter missed. Unlike the first step it does not use a screen it actually uses sand to refine the water further. As the water passes through the sand all the dirt will be trapped in the sand allowing clean water to flow back into the pool. The sand filter must be cleaned occasionally but just like before it is a very easy task. The sand filter has a valve with settings for cleaning the filter during use. It only takes a couple of moments for the filter to be back to its top capability.
After leaving the second filter the water returns to the pool. The leaves, sticks, and dirt have been removed but there is still one more step that must be taken. The smallest of all the pool contaminates must still be removed. This process actually occurs throughout the whole filtration system and pool. It involves using chemicals or salt to kill any bad bacteria and control the growth of algae. If the bacteria is not controlled it can cause serious infections in any cuts that a swimmer may have. The salt or chlorine, depending on the system, help keep the water clear and safe for swimming.
In order to keep any pool clean a progressive process that removes the debris in a step down approach must be taken in order in insure that the water is safe for swimming. The cleaning system must remove any dirt and leaves to help inhibit the growth of algae and bacteria. After the larger contaminates have been remove the chemicals ensure that the water will stay clean and clear for the swimming season.
