Cloudy Pool Water? How To Fix It Fast

Nothing ruins a backyard swim faster than cloudy or milky water. Your pool should sparkle, not look like a glass of skim milk. The good news? Cloudy water is a common issue for Arizona pool owners, and it’s usually easy to fix once you know the cause.

Before you start dumping in extra chemicals, it’s important to figure out what kind of water problem you actually have - cloudy or green - because the fix is completely different.

Cloudy Water vs. Green Water

Many pool owners confuse cloudy water with algae-filled green water. Here’s the quick difference:

Cloudy Water

• Cause: Filtration issue

• Chlorine levels: Normal or high

• Appearance: Hazy or milky, but not discolored

Cloudy water means your filter isn’t cleaning the water properly - even if your chemicals are balanced.

Green Water

• Cause: Chemical imbalance or algae growth

• Chlorine levels: Low or zero

• Appearance: Green tint, slippery walls

Green water needs chemical treatment, while cloudy water needs better filtration and circulation.

3 Steps to Clear Cloudy Pool Water

Once you’ve confirmed the problem is cloudy water (not algae), work through these three checks.

1. Make Sure the Filter Runs Long Enough

If your pool pump isn’t running long enough each day, the water isn’t getting fully filtered.

During Arizona’s summer heat, every pool should turn over all the water at least twice per day. For most residential pools, that means running your pump 8–12 hours daily.

If your water looks hazy in the afternoon, try extending your pump’s runtime for a few days to see if clarity improves.

2. Check The Filter

If your system is running properly but the water is still cloudy, the filter media itself could be the culprit.

• Sand filters: Over time, sand can compact or channel, allowing dirty water to slip through. You may need to replace the sand or upgrade to activated glass for finer filtration.

• Cartridge filters: Worn or clogged cartridges reduce efficiency. Clean or replace them as needed.

• DE filters: Make sure the DE powder has been correctly recharged after cleaning.

If you’re unsure, call a professional to inspect the filters, it might be time for a refresh or even an upgrade.

3. Check The Filter Equipment

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the filter, it’s the setup.

Cracks, leaks, or misaligned parts inside the filter housing can cause unfiltered water to circulate back into the pool.

Last summer, we helped a new homeowner who couldn’t figure out why their pool stayed cloudy. It turned out their cartridge filters weren’t seated properly inside the tank after cleaning. The pump was running, but the water was bypassing the filters entirely!

A quick adjustment fixed the issue, but because they had tried to solve it by adding more salt, we also had to rebalance the water chemistry.

Lesson learned: Always double-check your filter assembly before assuming you need chemicals.

Tip: Don’t Over-Shock

Cloudy water isn’t always a chemical problem, but many homeowners overcompensate with too much chlorine or salt. Adding unnecessary chemicals can make the problem worse and create more work balancing the water later.

Focus on circulation and filtration first - then adjust chemicals only if your test kit shows a true imbalance.

Need Help With Your Pool?

Cloudy water isn’t a sign your pool is ruined, it’s just your system asking for a little attention. If you’ve checked your pump runtime, cleaned your filters, and still can’t get the water clear, it’s time to bring in an expert.

At Sunset Pool Care, we can:

• Diagnose filtration or equipment problems

• Clean and replace filter media

• Restore water balance quickly and safely

Call 480-682-7986 to schedule a service visit or request a quote online.

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