On Jul 17, 10:58*am, SMS wrote:
On 7/17/2011 7:20 AM, wrote:

Why would a pool have high phosphate (or nitrate) levels? That comes
from lawn fertilizer in suburban environments.

No, it comes from decomposing plants, bugs, frogs, etc.. The biggest
struggle against algae in my area is phosphates. In California it is
rare to have screened in pools, unlike in Florida, since we don't have
much of a mosquito issue, so we get a lot of leaves and bugs in the
pool. People spend much more on phosphate removers than on chlorine or
tablets. Draining and refilling helps a little but the tap water also
has relatively high phosphates. I empty the skimmer basket at least
twice a week, and it's got a lot of stuff in it.

Lots of trees and stuff here in NJ, and I've yet to spend any $$ on
phosphate remover, nor have I ever had problems attributable to
phosphates. There is debate as to what level of phosphate creates
a real problem, as well as where it may come from. The folks
promoting the lower level of phosphates seem to be in the business
of selling the phosphate removers.

Also, if phosphates in the pool are coming from blown in debris or
fertilizer, seems a bit strange to have a ban against letting the pool
water be discharged into the storm sewers or ground. Isn't that
exactly where the rest of the rainwater is going together after having
been in contact with far more debris, fertilizer, etc?