Bushfires and storms leave pools contaminated and unsafe
Melbourne pool owners are desperately trying to get their hands on products to fix their murky water before the weather heats up. But one pool expert has suggested another way to get rid of the muck.
South East
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Stores are running out of products to treat dirty water after smoke haze and dust storms turned pools across Melbourne murky brown and green.
Aquafirst Braeside’s Alec Crane, who has worked in the pool industry for 14 years, said the phone had been ringing off the hook and the store inundated with pool owners.
“It just hasn’t stopped since yesterday morning … I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said on Friday.
“Yesterday I could only squeeze my lunch break in at 4pm.”
Mr Crane said two key products needed to treat pool water had flown off the shelves.
“It’s not actually chlorine, but clarifier and blocking agents that you need,” he said.
“A sample isn’t critical to take in, just call or go to your pool store to get advice.”
Mr Crane advised people unable to get their hands on the required products to turn off their filter for 24-48 hours and let everything settle to the bottom then vacuum it up.
“We have been in contact with our supplier and are hoping to get some more products delivered this afternoon,” he said.
Graeme Walker from the department of health and human services said swimming in murky green pools could cause gastro, infections and diarrhoea.
“The dust and ash in itself isn’t a health contamination but can lead to issues if treatment isn’t done properly,” he said.
“Our advice is that they require a fair bit of work, but to try and maintain them all year to avoid issues.”
Des Garbett from The Pool store in Mentone said his store has been inundated with people asking what to do about the problem.
Mr Garbett said murky green pools left untreated could turn into algae which could make people sick.
He said kids ran the greatest risk of getting sick.
“They will go for a swim, ingest some water and get sick, which could be infections or diarrhoea,” Mr Garbett said.
The Department of Health spokeswoman Lauren Hollands said people concerned about the water quality of their pool should avoid swimming and take a water sample to their local pool shop to be assessed.
“Large amounts of organic material in pools can encourage the growth of bacteria which may compromise the water quality,” she said.
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Chelsea SES member Phil Wall said they had received a number of calls about the discolouring of pools.
“We have been talking to a number of people about it, and it seems to be affecting a lot of pools,” he said.
“The best advice is to listen to the experts and speak to your local pool store.
“We do understand that this is a small issue compared to what is happening in the fire areas.”