July 14, 2026 · 4 min read
Why Westbank Pools Turn Green So Fast in Summer
Heat, humidity and afternoon thunderstorms make Gretna and Marrero pools lose chlorine faster than almost anywhere else. Here is what actually causes a green pool and how to stop it.
Chlorine burns off faster here
From June through September, Westbank water temperatures sit in the high 80s. Warm water grows algae quickly and burns through free chlorine in a day or two, especially in pools with no stabilizer left in the water.
That is why a pool that looked perfect on Friday can be cloudy by Monday. The chlorine is not disappearing by magic — it is being consumed by heat, sunlight and organics washing in from the yard.
Storm runoff feeds algae
Every afternoon storm drops phosphates, pollen, grass clippings and dirt into the water. Phosphates are food for algae, so a pool with a weak chlorine level and heavy runoff is one warm night away from turning.
Keeping baskets empty and brushing walls weekly removes the spores before they can bloom, which is a large part of why weekly service prevents green pools instead of just fixing them.
How to keep it clear
Run the pump long enough in summer — eight to ten hours a day for most Westbank pools. Short run times are the single most common cause of cloudy water we see.
Test stabilizer levels a few times a season, brush weekly, and shock after heavy rain or a pool party. If the water already has a green tint, a proper green-to-clean recovery is faster and cheaper than fighting it a bottle at a time.
Want us to handle it?
We service pools across Gretna, Marrero, Harvey, Terrytown and the rest of the Westbank — flat monthly rates, chemicals included, no contracts.
Call or text (504) 290-0689