Pollen in Your Pool? Here’s What It Means & How to Clear It Up
🌼 Spring is a beautiful time of year — unless you’re a pool owner staring at a yellow-green film across your water. That dusty layer? It’s likely not algae. It’s pollen, and while it might look harmless, it can cause cloudy water, dirty filters, and a whole lot of confusion.
At Watercrafters, we get a lot of calls this time of year that start with:
“My pool looks yellow — is it algae?”
The answer: Maybe. But probably not.
Let’s break it down.
🍃 Why Is There So Much Pollen in My Pool?
Pollen is everywhere in spring and early summer, especially in tree-heavy areas like Montgomery County. Wind, rain, and even your lawn care equipment can carry it into your pool. Unlike dirt or leaves, pollen is ultra-fine and can float on the surface for days — clinging to the waterline or drifting into the skimmer.
🌊 What Happens When Pollen Builds Up?
- Cloudy or discolored water: Especially yellow or greenish haze.
- Clogged filters: Pollen can gum up cartridges and sand filters, slowing circulation.
- Water imbalance: Excess pollen can throw off your chlorine levels and pH.
- Confusion with algae: The look is similar, but algae typically clings to surfaces or multiplies quickly — pollen floats and doesn’t grow.
🧽 How to Tell If It’s Pollen (Not Algae)
| Symptom | Pollen | Algae |
| Floats on the surface | ✅ | ❌ |
| Grows or spreads over time | ❌ | ✅ |
| Comes back quickly after brushing | ❌ | ✅ |
| Visible after a windy day | ✅ | ❌ |
Still not sure? We’re always happy to test your water in-store and confirm what’s going on.
✅ How to Get Rid of Pollen in Your Pool
- Run the Pool Pump Longer
Keep circulation going to help pull pollen into the filter. - Skim and Brush Daily
Use a fine-mesh skimmer net to remove surface pollen and brush walls to prevent buildup. - Vacuum to Waste (if needed)
If there’s a thick layer, vacuuming to waste can bypass the filter and remove it more effectively. - Clean the Filter
Pollen clogs filters fast. Rinse or backwash them regularly during heavy pollen weeks. - Use a Pool Clarifier or Enzyme
Clarifiers bind tiny particles like pollen, making it easier for your filter to catch. - Shock if Needed
If the water turns cloudy or starts to smell, a shock treatment can help rebalance things.
🛟 Prevent It From Building Up
- Use a solar cover when the pool’s not in use — it acts as a pollen shield.
- Keep trees and bushes trimmed near the pool.
- Stay on top of weekly maintenance (or call us — we’ve got that covered!).
💬 Need Help? Watercrafters Has Your Back.
Our service team knows exactly how to handle seasonal challenges like pollen, algae, and everything in between. Whether you need a one-time cleanup or ongoing maintenance, we’re here to help you enjoy your pool — not fight with it.
Stop by, give us a call, or book a visit online.
Let’s get your pool pollen-free and summer-ready! 🌞💦
