Water Chemistry /
Why Pool Water Feels Irritating After a Storm or Pollen Surge
Storm runoff and pollen can strain pool water, dilute chlorine, and upset pH. Learn what to check first, what not to do, and when to call a pro.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Jun 21, 2025 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
The aftermath of a storm or pollen on your pool
It is not uncommon for pool water to seem fine after a storm or an influx of pollen, yet still be hard on the eyes and skin. In most instances the culprit is an imbalance in the water brought on by diluted chlorine and a host of debris. Wind and rain can easily drive the water out of its proper range.
What you are dealing with is often a combination of: - Debris like dirt and leaves from a storm - Oils and fertilizers in the yard runoff - Organic matter that depletes your sanitizer
Pollen has a way of clouding the water with fine particles and clogging the skimmer, leaving the pool feeling dull even if it is not green.
Reading the water
If the water is irritating following some wind or rain, do not put it down to “too much” chlorine. More often than not the reverse is the case; the chlorine has been used up or diluted. A shift in pH can also make the pool harsher for swimmers despite its clean appearance.
You will see this in the form of stinging eyes, dry skin, or a filter that loads up with little effort. There may be a telltale chlorine odour stemming from contamination rather than an overabundance of the chemical. When in doubt, consider it a water quality issue and not merely one of tidying up.
First steps
Proceed with the simple and safe measures first.
Skim off what you can see and clear the baskets of any pollen mats or leaves. Be sure to shut off the pump before you get to work on the skimmer basket. Check that the returns are doing their job. Then put a reliable test kit to use, adhering to the instructions as well as the equipment manuals and chemical labels. Put on the appropriate PPE when you are handling chemicals or muck.
Should you have an overflow from heavy rain, let the owner’s manual guide you on the water level. Do not make assumptions about the state of the pool equipment.
Things to avoid
Some errors only serve to increase the irritation. Do not add chemicals without running a test, or ignore water that is cloudy because it is “close enough”. And a chlorine smell does not automatically mean the pool is sanitized.
For the sake of safety, no one should be in the pool if the water is murky, the balance is off, or there is any question of an electrical fault with the lighting or outlets. Convenience is secondary.
Getting the water back in order
There is a method to it: clear the debris, get the circulation going, run your tests and then act on what they show. Let the pump and filter do the work as the manual dictates so the water can clear itself. Give it time to mix and recheck. If you are outside and the pollen is persistent, some extra maintenance on the skimmer and filter is better than overdoing it with chemicals.
Time for a professional
A qualified pool pro can take the guesswork out of inspecting for storm damage and contamination. Make a call if:
- The water remains cloudy once you have finished up
- You have weak flow or a filter that will not come around
- Irritation lingers despite normal test numbers
- There is staining, an odd smell or algae
- You have reason to believe mud or fertilizer has run off into the pool
- Any electrical or pump issues have made themselves known
If the pool is still uncomfortable after you have done the basics, have a professional look at it before anyone gets in again.