Brown pool water is usually due to metals, organic contaminants, or imbalances in the pool’s chemistry. Clear brown water indicates oxidized iron is in the swimming pool. Cloudy brown water indicates organics are also present in pool water.

Here are the top 10 causes:

1. High Iron Content: Iron in the water often comes from well water, corroded pipes, saltwater systems, bricks, stones, pavers, and pool screens or cages. When chlorine is added to the pool, iron oxidizes, turning the water clear brown or rust colored. If the pH goes up too high, you will get surface staining. Solution: Use Mega Maintain and a CuLator Ultra 4.0.
2. High Manganese Levels: Manganese in the water, also found in well water or through pipe corrosion, can oxidize and give a brownish or black tint. Solution: Use Mega Maintain and a CuLator Ultra 4.0.
3. Oxidation: Metals in pool equipment can “dissolve” due to low pH, especially iron, copper, and manganese, which discolor the water and can stain pool surfaces. Solution: Use Mega Maintain and a CuLator Ultra 4.0.
4. Algae Growth: Certain types of algae, especially when dying or being treated, can turn pool water brown or murky. Solution: Increase your chlorine level. If algae continue, use a copper-based algaecide.
5. Debris and Organic Material: Leaves, soil, or organic debris can decompose in the pool, giving the water a brown tint and affecting the pH and chlorine levels. Solution: Add more chlorine.
6. High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Excessive minerals and salts in the water can cause discoloration and murkiness if TDS levels become too high. Solution: Drain some pool water and replace it with fresh water.
7. Low Chlorine Levels: Insufficient chlorine allows organic material to thrive, often leading to water discoloration or cloudiness. Solution: Add more chlorine.
8. Incorrect pH Levels: Low or high pH can interfere with chlorine’s effectiveness, leading to discoloration from unbalanced water chemistry. Solution: Get pH within range of 7.2-7.6.
9. Faulty Filter System: A clogged or broken filter can fail to remove organic particles and metals, leading to murky or brown water. Solution: Clean filter or replace with new filter.
10. Old, Stale Water: If pool water has not been replaced or refreshed in a long time, contaminants and dissolved minerals can accumulate, leading to discoloration. Solution: remove some swimming pool water and replace it with fresh water.

Proper water testing and regular maintenance are key to identifying and addressing the root cause, especially by checking metal levels, pH, and filtration efficiency.

If your brown water is caused by iron, a simple solution is to use https://culator.com/product/mega-maintain-metal-stain-scale-control-sequestering-agent/Mega Maintain Sequester with a CuLator Ultra 4.0 to remove all the ionized metals therefore preventing pool surface stains and water discoloration.

If your brown water is caused by organics, increase your chlorine level, or add algaecide.