Understanding Metals in Your Pool Water — and How to Keep Them Under Control

If you’ve ever noticed green, brown, or even black stains on your pool’s walls, steps, or liner, there’s a good chance metals are to blame. While metals aren’t always visible in pool water, they can quickly cause staining, discoloration, and cloudy water if not managed properly.

Let’s break down where metals come from, the problems they cause, and the best ways to prevent and treat them.

Where Do Metals in Pool Water Come From?

Metals can sneak into your pool from several sources:

• Fill water — Well water and even some municipal water supplies can contain iron, copper, and manganese.

• Corroding equipment — Old heaters, pipes, or metal fittings can release metals into the water as they deteriorate.

• Algaecides and chemicals — Certain copper-based algaecides can add to your metal levels.

• Environmental factors — Dust, rain, and runoff can introduce metals, especially in areas with high metal content in soil.

Issues Caused by Metals in Pool Water

High metal levels can cause:

• Staining — Iron can leave brown or rust-colored stains, copper can cause blue-green stains, and manganese can create black or purple marks.

• Water discoloration — Iron often turns water a tea-like brown, while copper can give it a greenish tint.

• Equipment damage — Metals can contribute to corrosion in heaters, ladders, and other pool components.

How to Treat and Prevent Metal Problems

1. Weekly Prevention is Key: Using a metal control product consistently is the best way to keep metals from causing trouble. We recommend:

• Regal Metal Control or Revive Weekly — Add the recommended dose once a week to bind and neutralize metals before they can stain or discolor your pool.

2. Removing High Metal Levels: If your pool already has high metal content, you’ll need more than just prevention. That’s where CuLator 4.0 comes in:

• Simply place the CuLator 4.0 pouch in your pump basket.

• It works 24/7 to physically remove metals from your water — not just bind them.

• Once full, you can safely dispose of it.

3. Special Tip for Well Water: If you’re filling your pool with well water, you can greatly reduce the amount of metals that make it into your pool by using a Bobby Sock filter. This simple attachment fits over the end of your hose and captures metals and other debris before they ever enter your pool water.

4. Additional Tips

• Always test your water regularly — metals aren’t part of every standard pool test, so ask for a metal test when you visit our store.

• Avoid copper-based algaecides unless specifically recommended for your situation.

• Maintain proper pH and alkalinity to help minimize corrosion.

The Bottom Line

Metals may be invisible at first, but left unchecked they can cause costly and frustrating pool problems. With a simple weekly dose of Regal Metal Control or Revive Weekly, a CuLator 4.0 for higher levels, and a Bobby Sock when filling from a well, you can keep your water crystal clear, your surfaces stain-free, and your equipment in great shape.

Stop by Angie’s Pool & Spa for a free water test and expert advice on the right products for your pool’s needs.