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.

• Ash and Its Composition: Wildfire ash can be made up of a variety of materials depending on the fire's intensity and what was burned. Ash from lower-temperature fires (below 840°F) is typically organic carbon, whereas higher-temperature fires produce ash with inorganic minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium. When pools are contaminated with ash from buildings or trees and brush, the residue can be especially harmful. For example, ash from burning buildings can contain harmful toxins. These compounds can be hazardous to people as well as to the pool water, as they are not only unsafe for swimming but can also cause long-lasting damage to some pool equipment and pool finishes.
• Chemical Imbalance: Ash is particularly problematic for pool chemistry because it has an alkaline pH above 9.0, which can cause the pool's pH to rise significantly. This, in turn, can lead to the breakdown of chlorine, reducing its effectiveness in sanitizing the pool. Additionally, the high levels of phosphate introduced by ash provide food for algae, potentially leading to a major algae bloom. Algae growth as well as the ash can clog filters, reduce sanitation, and even degrade pool surfaces. Phosphates are persistent and do not break down easily, making it crucial to address the problem before it exacerbates. The use of Phosphate removers such as Orenda PR10000 is highly recommended. The Lanthanum chloride reacts with Phosphates when it is added to water, it dissociates into lanthanum ions (La³⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). The lanthanum ions then react with phosphate ions to form lanthanum phosphate (LaPO₄), a solid precipitate. The lanthanum phosphate precipitates out of the water, effectively removing the phosphates. The precipitate can then be filtered or vacuumed to waste, thus reducing the phosphate concentration in the water. .
• Soot and Char: Soot is a fine carbon-based material produced by incomplete combustion, while char consists of larger, irregular carbon fragments. Both can contribute to water contamination, although their effects differ. Soot can further complicate water chemistry and make it more difficult to filter out debris, while char, if present in large amounts, can result in the formation of persistent stains on pool surfaces.

How to Restore Your Pool: Draining and RefillingGiven the severity of wildfire contamination, the best approach for most pool owners is to drain and refill their pools. This is more effective than attempting to add chemicals to restore the water, as the chemical balance will continue to be off due to the presence of ash, soot, and other debris or multiple filter cleanings or backwashing. 

• Why Drain and Refill?: If your pool hasn’t been drained in the last 3-5 years, this is a good time to do it. Draining and refilling is the fastest and most thorough way to restore the pool's water quality. New water eliminates any contaminants, ensuring a cleaner, safer swimming environment. Pools filled with contaminated water are at risk of algae blooms, equipment damage, and further chemical imbalances. Simply adding chemicals will not address the root cause of contamination and may lead to more complicated issues down the road.
  • Example: If you’re dealing with ash that has introduced high phosphate levels, draining the pool will eliminate the phosphates and prevent algae from blooming during the upcoming summer months once the water warms up.
• Cost of Draining and Refilling: The cost of draining and refilling is relatively affordable, typically around $300 for labor to drain and refill the pool. The actual water cost for refilling a 25,000-gallon pool, for example, is around $230, assuming a cost of $6.50 per 750 gallons(1 HCF)(Tier3).

Dealing with Pool Equipment and FinishesWhen pools are contaminated with ash and debris, it's crucial to inspect the equipment and finishes for damage.

• Filters: Ash and debris can clog up the pool's filtration system, especially paper cartridge style filters reducing its effectiveness and potentially requiring the replacement of filter elements. For instance, ash can coat the filter media, especially if it contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, leading to the formation of hard deposits that are difficult to remove. Regular filter cleanings or even replacements of filter grids or cartridges may be necessary and is highly recommended to restore proper function.
• Pool Finishes: If ash, soot, or char has stained the pool's finish, an chlorine or acid wash can help restore its appearance. This process involves using a mild chlorine or acid solution to remove surface stains and buildup caused by the ash. You want to be cautious thought and consult a knowledgeable pool professional, older pools with aged plaster surfaces may not be able to be acid washed. 

Additional Considerations

• Firefighting Chemicals: Fire retardants used in firefighting efforts can also impact pools. Most of the dry suppressants dropped on wildfires are a made primarily of di-ammonium phosphate. The result of this is an increase in ortho-phosphate ending up in the swimming pools. Phosphate in pools leads to many water quality issues and can combine with calcium to form calcium phosphate scale which can clog up gas pool heater heat exchangers. The high levels of phosphates in fire retardants can exacerbate the algae growth problem in pools. Pools located near firefighting efforts may need extra care to address these chemicals. Regular filtration and chemical treatments like phosphate removers, enzymes, and clarifiers are essential for clearing the water.
• Health and Safety Risks: The contaminants in wildfire ash, soot, and firefighting chemicals are not just problematic for pool equipment but are also dangerous for personal health. Ash and debris from structures, vehicles, or trees may contain harmful toxins that can pose health risks to swimmers. It's essential to avoid swimming in pools contaminated by wildfire residue until they are properly cleaned.

Conclusion: Steps for Pool OwnersIf your pool has been affected by recent wildfires, here's a summary of the steps you should take to ensure it is safe for swimming:

1. Remove debris: Skim any visible ash and debris from the pool as soon as possible. Use a mesh net with a high micron filtration rating to catch fine particles.
2. Drain and refill: If your pool has not been drained recently, this is the best approach to ensure the water is free of contaminants. Drain the pool to remove ash, soot, and chemicals, then refill it with fresh water.
3. Clean filters and equipment: Inspect and clean the pool's filtration system, and replace the filter elements if necessary. Check all pool equipment for damage.
4. Treat the water: Use phosphate removers, enzymes, and clarifiers to address any remaining chemical imbalances. Super-chlorinate the pool to disinfect it and prevent algae growth. Shock, floc, enzyme, phosphate removal and algae prevention are all good remedial treatments once the fires are gone.
5. Stay safe: Always take precautions when dealing with ash and debris. Wear personal protective equipment, including a mask and gloves, to avoid exposure to harmful toxins. take off your boots or shoes before entering your home. 

By taking these steps, pool owners can ensure that their pools are safe, clean, and ready for use once the summer weather arrives. Proactive maintenance is key to preventing long-term damage and maintaining pool safety in areas affected by wildfires.

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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.