What is the effect of poor oxidation in pool water?

Poor oxidation in pool water leads to the presence of organic matter and other contaminants that haven't been adequately broken down. When oxidation processes, such as those carried out by sanitizers like chlorine, are insufficient, impurities accumulate, resulting in cloudy or turbid water. This turbidity is caused by the scattering of light by suspended particles, making the water appear less clear.

In contrast, clear water indicates effective oxidation and proper sanitation. Increased algae growth and elevated pH levels may be associated with poor water quality, but they are not direct effects of poor oxidation itself. Instead, they can be symptoms of various imbalances in the water chemistry that may also be impacted by oxidation levels. Therefore, the accurate consequence of inadequate oxidation specifically is the cloudiness of the water.