High Copper

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B

BLPT

Active member
May 5, 2024
32
Austin, TX
Pool Size
9000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The past 2 weeks my calcium test results have been abnormally high, jumped from ~460 to 550. I also had to retest due to color indicator not changing. This past weekend, we noticed blonde hair turning green. I took water samples to Leslie's for metal testing. Pool water was 1.2ppm, hose water was 0.6ppm. The tech told us that many people have had high copper recently due to rains, pollen and mosquito sprays. We have an autocover, but do light a mosquito incense candle next to pool when it's open. Pool is 5 months old. I've never added algaecide. I've added CYA, borates, and chlorine in the past, and muriatic acid regularly.

My question is: is this copper level concerning for a heater coil issue, or could it be an environmental cause?
 
BLPT said:
The past 2 weeks my calcium test results have been abnormally high, jumped from ~460 to 550. I also had to retest due to color indicator not changing. This past weekend, we noticed blonde hair turning green. I took water samples to Leslie's for metal testing. Pool water was 1.2ppm, hose water was 0.6ppm. The tech told us that many people have had high copper recently due to rains, pollen and mosquito sprays. We have an autocover, but do light a mosquito incense candle next to pool when it's open. Pool is 5 months old. I've never added algaecide. I've added CYA, borates, and chlorine in the past, and muriatic acid regularly.

My question is: is this copper level concerning for a heater coil issue, or could it be an environmental cause?
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The hose water sample is likely inaccurate. If there’s another store to test at, try taking a sample there. Have you been adding algaecide or chlorine pucks with “blue” in the name?
 
The startup crew added 2 gallons of MA ( decrease of pH by 7.1) initially. We had to complain for 3 days until they came back out to raise it back up. Otherwise, I've kept the pH above -0.3 CSI
 
Last edited:
Bperry said:
The hose water sample is likely inaccurate. If there’s another store to test at, try taking a sample there. Have you been adding algaecide or chlorine pucks with “blue” in the name?
Click to expand...
I've read that my city does add copper to the water to help control the zebra mussel population.
 
I've been going back over my calendar trying to look at what was different. Is it possible for fertilizer to get into the pool with the cover being closed? The coping is almost a foot above ground level at the lowest point.
 
I'm reading that treated wood contains copper as a preservative. This is most likely the culprit, we're installing a deck around the pool and sawdust blew everywhere.
 

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