Water Care Support
Water Care Troubleshooting
Quick diagnostic solutions for cloudy water, pH imbalance, odors, and mineral stains from Alaska's authorized Watkins Wellness service team.
Need FreshWater® Water Care Products?
The Waterworks stocks genuine FreshWater® test strips, salt cartridges, Stain & Scale inhibitor, InstantFilter cleaners, and balancing chemicals at our Anchorage and Eagle River showrooms.
Diagnostics
Common Water Issues & Solutions
Cloudy Water
Probable Causes
- Dirty or clogged filter cartridges
- Excessive bather oils or organic matter
- Improper or inadequate sanitizing
- Suspended organic particles or high total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Overused or old water nearing drain interval
Recommended Solutions
- Clean filter cartridges thoroughly with FreshWater® InstantFilter Cleaner or FreshWater® Filter Cleaner.
- Shock the spa with non-chlorine oxidizer or approved spa sanitizer.
- Test sanitizer level and add sanitizer until reaching recommended operating range.
- Adjust pH and total alkalinity using FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up or FreshWater Alkalinity Down.
- Run jet pumps on clean cycle to circulate water through cleaned filtration.
- If water is older than 3–4 months (or 12 months on FreshWater Salt System), drain, clean, and refill.
Water Odor
Probable Causes
- Excessive organic contaminants in water
- Improper or insufficient sanitization
- Low pH level
Recommended Solutions
- Shock the spa with approved sanitizer / oxidizer.
- Test and add sanitizer to restore proper residual level.
- Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to achieve the 7.2–7.6 recommended range.
- If odor persists, drain, clean the spa shell, and refill with fresh water.
Strong Chemical / Chlorine Odor
Probable Causes
- Combined chlorine (chloramines) level is too high
- Low pH level accelerating odor release
Recommended Solutions
- Shock the spa with sanitizer or FreshWater MPS chlorine-free oxidizer to break down chloramines.
- Adjust pH to the recommended 7.2–7.6 range using FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up.
- Leave the spa cover open for 20 minutes with jets running to allow off-gassing.
Musty or Mildew Odor
Probable Causes
- Bacteria or algae growth on pillows, underside of cover, or plumbing
- Spa cover underside has absorbed moisture and mildew
Recommended Solutions
- Shock the spa water with sanitizer.
- Remove pillows and cover; clean underside of cover with mild baking soda solution or approved vinyl cleaner and allow to dry thoroughly.
- If problem is visible or persistent inside the water, drain, clean the shell thoroughly, and refill.
Organic Buildup / Scum Ring
Probable Causes
- Accumulation of body oils, lotions, cosmetics, and environmental grime along the waterline
Recommended Solutions
- Wipe off scum line using a soft cloth or nylon spa scrubber (avoid household detergents).
- If buildup is severe, drain the spa. Clean thoroughly and apply FreshWater Spa Shine to protect the dry shell before refilling.
- Encourage bathers to rinse off lotions and cosmetics prior to entering the spa.
Algae Growth (Green / Slippery Surfaces)
Probable Causes
- High pH level neutralizing sanitizer effectiveness
- Low or zero sanitizer residual over extended period
Recommended Solutions
- Shock the spa immediately with approved sanitizer.
- Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down to bring it into the 7.2–7.6 range.
- Maintain continuous sanitizer levels and clean filters daily until water is completely clear.
Eye Irritation
Probable Causes
- Low pH (acidic water)
- Low sanitizer level allowing chloramine buildup
Recommended Solutions
- Adjust pH upward with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to achieve 7.2–7.6.
- Shock the spa with sanitizer to eliminate irritating combined chloramines, and maintain proper baseline sanitizer levels.
Skin Irritation or Rash
Probable Causes
- Unsanitary water due to inadequate sanitizer
- Excessive free chlorine level (above 5 ppm)
Recommended Solutions
- Test water immediately. If sanitizer is low, shock spa and re-establish proper residual.
- If free chlorine is above 5 ppm, uncover the spa, run jets, and allow sunlight/time to lower the level below 5 ppm before soaking.
- Shower immediately after soaking.
Surface Stains (Red, Brown, or Green Tint)
Probable Causes
- Total alkalinity and/or pH too low
- High iron, copper, or manganese in local source/well water
Recommended Solutions
- Adjust total alkalinity and pH to target ranges using FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up.
- Add FreshWater Stain & Scale to sequester dissolved metals and inhibit surface staining.
- When refilling from well or municipal sources with mineral content, always fill through a CleanScreen™ Pre-Filter.
Scale Formation (Rough White Deposits)
Probable Causes
- Total alkalinity and/or pH too high
- High calcium hardness in source water
Recommended Solutions
- Adjust total alkalinity and pH downward with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down.
- If scale requires removal, drain the spa, scrub off calcium deposits with a mild non-abrasive cleaner, and coat shell with FreshWater Spa Shine before refilling.
- Add FreshWater Stain & Scale and balance water carefully upon fresh fill.
Prevention
Three Golden Rules for Alaska Water Care
1. Always Pre-Filter
Alaska well water and municipal feeds often carry dissolved iron, copper, or high mineral loads. Attaching a CleanScreen™ Pre-Filter to your garden hose stops metals before they enter the tub.
2. Clean Filters Monthly
Rinse cartridges with a high-pressure hose nozzle monthly. Use FreshWater® InstantFilter Cleaner to dissolve oils, and replace filters every 3 years with genuine Watkins cartridges.
3. Test Weekly, Balance Early
Keep pH between 7.2 and 7.6. High pH causes scale and cloudy water; low pH corrodes heaters and causes skin irritation. Adjusting promptly prevents major water chemistry resets.