Following the recent wildfires in Southern California, pools and spas have been severely impacted by ash, debris, and firefighting chemicals, creating several challenges for homeowners and pool operators. Understanding the effects of these contaminants and the steps needed to restore pools to a safe and functional state is essential. Here's a detailed summary of the actions required, common issues that arise, and the recommended approaches to addressing them.
Great care should be taken when undertaking the task of cleanup after a fire. Be aware of live downed power lines. In many cases in fire-damaged homes, the fire department will turn off the power. This is done because wires may have melted or been fused from the heat. Be sure to check with the fire department before attempting to turn pump and filter breakers back on. Only a licensed electrical contractor should determine the integrity of the breakers for the pumps. The Impact of ash, smoke, soot, and other debris from wildfires can drastically affect pool water chemistry and pool equipment. Pools near wildfire areas or areas where homes burned may contain high levels of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate compounds, which alter the balance of pool water, create harmful conditions for pool surfaces, and strain filtration systems.
![]() e An enzyme is defined as a protein substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. Enzymes help speed up a chemical reaction. Enzymes bind to molecules and alter them in very specific ways. Enzymes exist in every living and dead organisms on the planet. An enzymes purpose is to break down organic matter. Municipal drinking water and waste water treatment facilities have been using catalyst enzymes for treatment for years. The use of enzymes in pool and spa water treatment has come into it’s own in recent years. With the addition of enzymes in pool and spa water the enzymes move about freely through the water and collect the oils, lotions, make up, hair products, and other carbon base organic materials. Once the enzyme encounters that material it forms a substrate complex, upon completion of the reaction the enzyme is released and off to perform its reaction again. Here is What happens. The enzymes eat the carbon base organic waste, breaking down the carbon chain of molecules an destroying it to the point all that is left is the inert solids and Co2 gas bubbles which be off gassed out of the pool and the inert solids trapped in your pool filter. This will help reduce the sanitizer demand by consuming visible and non-visible organic matter in the pool and spa water as well as increase filter cleaning intervals. eThe catalytic abilities of enzymes are affected by many different conditions. Temperature, pH changes, water activity, ionic strength and other variables all influence the ability of a protein to function as an enzyme. For instance, an enzyme that is very effective in one environment may be completely ineffective when introduced into an environment — like a swimming pool where high levels of oxidizers are present — that can alter the enzyme structure. This is why it is critically important to choose an enzyme that has been specifically designed for use in pool and spa environments For large pools or pools with high bather loads, the addition of enzymes reduce the chlorine sanitization demand and demand to shock the pool while breaking down oils, make up, hair products, tanning oils, sunscreens and organics that deposit themselves on the filter media, skimmer box, waterline tile enzymes specifically seek out non-living organics found in water: ![]() I highly recommend using Orenda Technologies CV-600 catalytic enzyme water cleaner. I’ve witnessed it’s power and effectiveness and I can say with certainty my own eyes have seen it work. Its NSF / ANSI certified made in the U.S.A and drinking water safe. For large pools or pools with high bather loads, the addition of enzymes reduce the chlorine sanitization demand, as well as the demand to shock the pool while breaking down oils, make up, hair products, tanning oils, sunscreens and other organics that deposit themselves on the filter media, skimmer box, waterline tile. Enzymes specifically seek out non-living organics found in water and remove them! Common Non-Living Organic Pollutants - Bird droppings - Human hair - Sunscreen - Cosmetics - Body oils - Wind-blown dust - Dead leaves - Pets or wild animals - Dead Insects - Grass or Mulch - Dead skin - Hair products -Urine – Feces - Saliva - Pollen - Air pollution Enzymes are not needed in every pool but can become a time and money saver on difficult to maintain pools and or pools with high bather loads. Enzymes remove the building blocks that contribute to bigger water chemistry problems by breaking down and consuming contaminants. Enzymes do not consume live bacteria but are specifically attracted to non-living organic pollutants and help make the job easier for sanitizing chemicals like chlorine to work. Enzymes thrive as outstanding clarifiers, stain removers, and foam preventers. Enzymes cannot eliminate living algae but they will breakdown dead algae after an algae treatment. For pool owners or pool service professionals, determining when the right time to use an enzyme is usually easy. Pools and spas that experience heavy bather loads, large amount of organic contamination, or have bathers who routinely enter the pool or spa before showering are your prime targets to use enzymes. ![]() To learn more about orenda technologies cv-600 & cv-700 enzymes visit the orenda website http://orendatech.com ![]() Brush, brush, brush, you can never brush your pool enough, if you skimp on anything don’t let it be brushing your pool. It’s the single most important part of your pool maintenance. ![]() Don’t leave your pool full of play toys and small things that could get sucked into your automatic pool vacuum or into the skimmer box and block water flow reducing your pools filtration and circulation. Its best and safest to remove floating pool items when you are done swimming and store them away in a secure location. ![]() If you have a water test kit, use it, test your water at least once a week so you can see how pool water chemistry fluctuates and changes day to day or week to week. Get a better understanding of what effects it has on your water balance and water quality Check your pool water level at least once a week, twice in summer. If its low add water. If there is bad weather and a lot of leaves and debris blow into the pool, try to remove as much as you can, with your pole and net, and empty the skimmer basket if its full. Heavy organic loads will consume your pools available chlorine at a high rate as the chlorine tries to oxidize the matter, in most cases waiting until your pool service comes that week will be too late and your pools health will suffer a devastating blow. If you see something, say something, don’t be afraid to call text or email your pool service if you think something looks odd, water dripping, cloudy turbid water, green water, algae on the steps or wall, a piece of equipment that doesn’t turn on, don’t wait until your service day to tell your pool service about it. Most of these could be the beginning of a bigger problem, It's best to catch it while it’s still a small problem. Your pool service will thank you so will your wallet. ![]() If you have a gate or fence around your pool or to your back yard, keep it closed at all times. Your gates should be self-closing, self-latching to prevent pool accidents. Last but not least, make it easy to get into your back yard. Leave an adequate path from the gate to the pool. Climbing over and around items with all of our heavy gear and service carts, hoses, poles, chemicals and equipment thru bushes around trash cans over obstacles to get to your pool, is not fun. It may not seem like a big deal to you , but for us it is. Thanks in advance and remember, Life is better by the pool. |
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February 2025
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