Cloudy Water in Natural Pool: Causes, Fixes and Prevention

Understanding Cloudy Water

Cloudy water in a natural swimming pool can be concerning, but it's rarely a serious problem. Understanding the cause helps you apply the right solution—and sometimes, no action is needed at all.

Why Water Clarity Matters (But Isn't Everything)

Clear water is beautiful and reassuring, but natural pools aren't meant to look like chlorinated swimming pools. A slight green tinge or soft cloudiness can be perfectly normal, especially in:

• New pools during their first season
• Early spring as plants wake up
• After heavy rain
• During very hot weather

Understanding how natural pools stay clean helps you distinguish normal variations from problems requiring action.

Quick Diagnosis Guide

| Symptom | Likely Cause | Urgency | |---------|--------------|---------| | Green tint, can see bottom | Normal algae, healthy pool | None | | Milky cloudiness, new pool | Maturation phase | Low | | Green pea soup, can't see bottom | Algae bloom | Medium | | Brown/murky after disturbance | Sediment | Low | | Persistent cloudiness, mature pool | System issue | Medium | | Sudden change with odour | Possible contamination | High |

Common Causes and Solutions

1. New Pool Syndrome

Symptoms: Cloudiness in the first 1-8 weeks after filling

Why It Happens: Your pool is establishing its ecosystem. Beneficial bacteria haven't fully colonised surfaces yet, and plants are still developing root systems.

Solution: Patience. This is completely normal.

What to Do:

• Keep pumps running 24/7
• Don't add chemicals (they'll disrupt establishment)
• Monitor but don't interfere
• Light swimming is fine after week 4

Timeline: Expect clearing within 4-8 weeks. Some pools take longer, especially those filled with mains water.

2. Insufficient Regeneration Zone

Symptoms: Persistent cloudiness despite mature plants

Why It Happens: The regeneration zone is too small to filter the water volume effectively.

Solution: Increase biological filtration capacity.

What to Do:

• Confirm regeneration zone is 30-50% of total area
• Add more oxygenating plants
• Consider a secondary filter (gravel bed, bog filter)
• Increase circulation rate
• Use regular water testing to monitor progress

Prevention: Proper sizing during design prevents this issue entirely.

3. Excess Nutrients

Symptoms: Green water, algae growth on surfaces, blanket weed

Why It Happens: Too many nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) are entering the pool. Phosphate is the limiting nutrient for algae growth.

Sources:

• Fertiliser runoff from lawn/garden
• Leaf debris
• Bird droppings
• Mains water top-ups
• Sunscreen and body products

Solution: Reduce nutrient input and increase removal. What to Do:

• Install a 2-3m unfertilised buffer zone around pool
• Use leaf netting in autumn
• Rinse before swimming (removes sunscreen/products)
• Top up with rainwater when possible
• Remove any blanket weed by hand
• Add more hungry plants: iris, typha, juncus

4. Low Water Circulation

Symptoms: Cloudiness concentrated in certain areas, stagnant patches

Why It Happens: Water isn't moving through the regeneration zone effectively.

Solution: Improve circulation.

What to Do:

• Check pump is operating correctly
• Clean any blocked inlets/outlets
• Verify flow rate (aim for 1-2 full cycles per 24 hours)
• Consider additional circulation points for large pools
• Remove any plant overgrowth blocking flow

5. Algae Bloom

Symptoms: Sudden green water, surface scum, can't see bottom

Why It Happens: A combination of warm weather, excess nutrients, and insufficient competition from plants.

Solution: Address underlying causes while managing symptoms.

What to Do:

• DON'T: Add algaecides, copper, or chemicals
• DO: Increase circulation (run pump continuously)
• DO: Remove as much algae manually as possible
• DO: Add more oxygenating plants
• DO: Shade the water temporarily (floating plants help)
• DO: Test phosphate levels and address source

Timeline: Blooms typically resolve in 2-4 weeks with proper management.

6. Sediment Disturbance

Symptoms: Brown/murky water after swimming, cleaning, or heavy rain

Why It Happens: Fine particles from the bottom are stirred up.

Solution: Usually self-correcting.

What to Do:

• Wait 24-48 hours for settling
• Avoid disturbing bottom when swimming
• Consider adding gravel to bare liner areas
• Install a bottom drain if recurrent

Seasonal Considerations

Spring

Water may be cloudy as the ecosystem wakes up. This is normal—plants are starting to grow and bacteria are becoming active again after winter dormancy.

Summer

Peak algae risk. Regular maintenance prevents issues. Hot, sunny weather promotes algae growth.

Autumn

Falling leaves add nutrients. Use netting and remove debris promptly.

Winter

Water often clears beautifully in cold months. Low temperatures suppress algae and sediment settles.

What NOT to Do

Never Add Chemicals

Tempting as it might be, adding chemicals will:

• Kill beneficial bacteria essential for filtration
• Harm aquatic plants
• Disrupt the nitrogen cycle
• Create long-term balance problems
• Potentially harm wildlife

Don't Drain and Refill

This rarely solves the problem and:

• Destroys established bacteria
• Stresses plants
• Wastes water
• Resets maturation clock

Don't Panic

Most cloudiness issues resolve naturally. Give solutions 2-4 weeks to work before trying something else.

When to Call a Professional

Seek expert help if:

• Cloudiness persists beyond 12 weeks in a new pool
• Water has an unusual odour
• Fish or wildlife are dying (shouldn't have fish, but wildlife visits)
• You've tried solutions for 6+ weeks without improvement
• You're unsure what's causing the issue

Prevention Strategies

Design Phase

• Size regeneration zone correctly (minimum 30%)
• Plan for adequate circulation
• Consider prevailing wind direction (moves debris)
• Include plant diversity

Ongoing

• Weekly skimming (15 minutes)
• Seasonal plant maintenance
• Prompt leaf removal
• Annual professional check

Long-term

• Add plants gradually over years
• Maintain equipment regularly
• Document what works for your pool

Water Testing

While not as critical as chlorinated pools, occasional testing helps:

| Test | Frequency | Target | |------|-----------|--------| | pH | Monthly | 6.5-8.5 | | Phosphate | Quarterly | Below 0.1 mg/L | | Nitrate | Quarterly | Below 25 mg/L |

Test more frequently if experiencing issues.

Summary: Troubleshooting Flowchart

1. Is the pool less than 3 months old? → Probably maturation, wait and observe 2. Did something change recently? → Address the change (storm, disturbance, etc.) 3. Is regeneration zone adequate? → If under 30%, consider expansion 4. Are nutrient sources present? → Reduce inputs (fertiliser, debris) 5. Is circulation working? → Check pump, clean blockages 6. Is it seasonal? → Natural variation, often self-correcting

Most cloudiness resolves with patience and minor adjustments. Your natural pool is a living ecosystem—give it time to find its balance.

Ready to start your natural pool journey? Use our free AI visualisation tool to see how one would look in your garden.