Pool owners want their pool clean and free of excess algae, stains, and contaminants. One compound that often comes up in pool water testing is phosphates. If you're not sure what a phosphate is or whether it belongs in your swimming pool, the experts from Don Marcum's Pool Care in Cincinnati, OH, are there to help.

Here, the swimming pool professional lists the top three things to know about the pool chemical. 

1. They Promote Algae Blooms

Phosphates are known as "algae food." With enough phosphate in your pool water, algae can flourish, turning your entire pool into a green paradise. 

2. They're in Every Pool

Phosphates are inescapable. They enter pools through leaves, dirt, vegetation, pool chemicals, and lawn fertilizer. You can't get rid of phosphates completely. You can only keep them at very low levels with regular pool maintenance, water testing, and pool formulas designed to fight phosphates. 

3. Removing Them Improves Pool Aesthetics

While phosphates are not dangerous, they are the foundation of algae blooms, an unsightly menace to pool owners. By reducing your pool's phosphate levels to near zero, you are taking preventative action to maintain the appearance and water clarity of your pool. 

Don Marcum's Pool Care has been a full-service swimming pool maintenance company since 1967. Cincinnati pool owners rely on Don Marcum's Pool Care for seasonal care, cleaning, and pool accessories, including pool covers, filters, and vacuums. Visit the pool cleaner's website to learn more about its maintenance services, or give the team a call at (513) 561-7050.