How to Clear Up a Green Tint in a Pool

After a winter under wraps, your swimming pool may have gathered dirt, debris and bacteria that turned its crystal-clear water into a murky green swamp. This uninviting water can delay the start of swimming season in your pool, but the delay does not have to be indefinite. Cleaning the water takes time and effort, but by removing the debris, correcting the pool chemically and extensively filtering the water, you can enjoy a clear pool again.

• 1

  Remove any debris from the floor of the pool with a leaf net. Let the water clear slightly and any remaining debris settle. Pass the net along the bottom of the pool again to remove any debris you might have missed.

• 2

  Test the alkalinity levels of the pool with a test kit, following the kit manufacturer's instructions. Make any adjustments necessary to the pool water to restore the alkalinity to acceptable levels. Add sodium bicarbonate if you need to raise the alkalinity level, balancing acid if you need to lower the alkalinity. Follow the product label instructions carefully when making adjustments.

• 3

  Add 3 gallons of liquid chlorine to the pool water to "shock" the pool, killing off any bacteria and algae. Let the pool sit overnight, then check to determine if the water is clearer. If not, add another 3 gallons of chlorine and wait a second night. Repeat the process daily until the water clears, the green water becomes translucent, or the water becomes cloudy-white.

• 4

  Turn on the pool filter and run it 24 hours a day. Backwash the filter four times a day to prevent the green water from clogging it. Continue filtering the water until it clears, operating the pool filter continuously for up to five days. Check the water daily for clarity. If the water does not clear after the fifth day, have the filter checked to ensure that it is operating correctly. Repair or replace nonfunctioning filters, then repeat the filtering process.

• 5

  Remove any remaining debris from the pool floor after the water clears, using your pool vacuum for smaller debris and the leaf net for larger items.