Summer in Union County means family time and visiting your local pools to escape the heat. Before you or your kids get in the pool, take a minute to look it over and make sure the water isn't cloudy or hazy. Healthy pool water should be clear enough to see the bottom of the pool from the deck, all the way down to the main drain. Public pools are legally required to maintain water clarity so that the main drain is visible at all times.

Pool clarity ensures that lifeguards and staff can see all swimmers at every water level and respond quickly to emergencies. Visibility directly affects response time, and swift response time saves lives.

When pool water looks hazy, murky or off-color, it is usually a sign that something in the pool's system needs attention, such as water chemistry, filtration or circulation. High pH levels, dirty or undersized filters, and poor circulation are all common causes of low water clarity. Left unaddressed, these issues do not just affect how the pool looks; they can pose a genuine risk to swimmer safety. Unbalanced water chemistry can cause skin and eye irritation and, in some cases, create conditions where harmful bacteria are more likely to survive.

Our pools webpage includes safety guidelines, permit details and tips for both pool owners and swimmers to help keep our community safe. If you see a public pool with cloudy or questionable water, report it to Union County Environmental Health. For questions regarding pool safety, inspections or permitting, contact Union County Environmental Health at 704-283-3553.