Discovering your pool has turned green is stressful enough without the uncertainty of what it will cost to fix. The truth is, green pool recovery costs in Perth vary significantly depending on the severity of the problem, the size of your pool, and what caused the issue in the first place.
This guide gives you a transparent look at what you can expect to pay in 2026, what is included in a professional recovery, and how to tell whether your pool needs a chemical treatment or a full drain and clean.
Green Pool Recovery Cost Breakdown
Mild Green Pool (Can Still See the Floor)
Cost: $250 to $400
A mild green pool has a slight green tint and reduced clarity, but you can still see the pool floor. This is the easiest and cheapest to treat.
What is included:
- Full water test (chlorine, pH, alkalinity, stabiliser, calcium)
- Chemical shock treatment (liquid chlorine and pH adjustment)
- Filter clean or backwash
- One to two follow-up visits to monitor recovery
- Chemicals included in the price
Recovery at this stage typically takes 2 to 3 days with the pump running continuously.
Moderate Green Pool (Cannot See the Floor)
Cost: $400 to $650
The water is visibly green and opaque in the deep end, but the shallow areas may still have some visibility. This is the most common level of green pool we treat in Perth.
What is included:
- Comprehensive water analysis
- High-dose shock treatment with multiple chemical additions
- Multiple filter cleans during recovery
- Algaecide treatment
- Pool floor vacuum once algae settles
- Two to three follow-up visits
- All chemicals included
Recovery takes 3 to 5 days.
Severe Green Pool (Dark Green, Opaque, May Have Odour)
Cost: $650 to $1,000+
The pool is completely opaque, dark green or even black-green, and may have a swampy smell. Organic sludge may be visible on the floor and walls.
What is included:
- Full water analysis (may require laboratory testing)
- Stabiliser assessment (partial drain may be needed if over-stabilised)
- Intensive multi-day chemical treatment program
- Multiple filter services
- Thorough vacuuming (may require multiple sessions)
- Surface brushing to remove embedded algae
- Equipment inspection and repair recommendations
- Three to five follow-up visits
- All chemicals included
Recovery takes 5 to 7 days or longer.
Full Drain and Clean
Cost: $800 to $1,500+
When chemical treatment alone will not work, or when the pool has been neglected for months, a full drain and clean is required. This is also necessary when stabiliser levels are so high that chlorine is rendered ineffective.
What is included:
- Complete pool draining (managed carefully to avoid hydrostatic damage)
- High-pressure cleaning of all surfaces
- Acid washing for stain removal (if needed)
- Equipment inspection and servicing
- Complete refill (water cost is additional)
- Full chemical balance from scratch
- Equipment repair or replacement recommendations
A drain and clean takes 1 to 3 days depending on pool size and condition.
What Affects the Cost?
Several factors can push the cost of green pool recovery higher or lower:
Pool Size
A 25,000-litre plunge pool requires significantly less chemical than an 80,000-litre family pool. Larger pools cost more to treat in every scenario.
Severity and Duration
A pool that went green yesterday costs far less to recover than one that has been green for six months. The longer algae has been growing, the more chemicals, time, and labour are needed.
Stabiliser Levels
This is a major cost factor that catches many Perth pool owners off guard. If your cyanuric acid (stabiliser) level is above 80 to 100 ppm, you will need a partial drain before chemical treatment can work. Draining, disposing of water, and refilling adds $200 to $400 to the total cost.
Over-stabilisation is extremely common in Perth pools, particularly those that have been maintained with stabilised chlorine (granular or tablet chlorine) over many years.
Equipment Condition
If your pump, filter, or chlorinator needs repair or replacement as part of the recovery, that is an additional cost. However, it is often the faulty equipment that caused the green pool in the first place, so repairing it is essential to prevent a recurrence.
Access
Pools that are difficult to access, require equipment to be carried through the house, or have limited space around the pool area may cost slightly more due to additional time and effort.
DIY vs Professional Recovery: The Real Cost Comparison
Some pool owners attempt to recover a green pool themselves. While this can work for mild cases, it often ends up costing more for moderate to severe pools.
Common DIY Mistakes That Increase Costs
Using the wrong type of chlorine. Granular chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) adds calcium to your water. In Perth, where bore water and scheme water already have elevated calcium levels, this can push calcium hardness too high and cause scaling on surfaces and equipment.
Not testing stabiliser first. Adding chlorine to an over-stabilised pool is like pouring money into the pool. The chlorine is there, but it cannot work. Many DIY attempts fail because the pool owner does not realise stabiliser is the root problem.
Under-dosing. A green pool needs a massive chlorine hit to kill established algae. Many pool owners add what seems like a lot of chlorine but do not reach the levels needed for effective shock treatment. The algae survives, and they have wasted the chemicals.
Not cleaning the filter during recovery. Dead algae clogs your filter rapidly. If you do not clean the filter repeatedly during recovery, the dead algae stays in the pool and the water never clears.
Typical DIY Cost
Even when done correctly, DIY green pool recovery for a moderate case typically costs $150 to $300 in chemicals alone, plus 6 to 10 hours of your time over 3 to 5 days. If you get it wrong and need to call a professional anyway, you have spent money on chemicals that may have been the wrong type or dosage.
How to Prevent Green Pool Recovery Costs
The most effective way to avoid green pool recovery costs is to prevent the problem in the first place:
- Maintain regular servicing: A consistent maintenance schedule is the single best protection against green pools
- Keep your chlorinator working: Have your salt chlorinator cell inspected annually and replace it before it fails completely
- Monitor stabiliser levels: Test stabiliser quarterly and address high levels before they become a problem
- Do not skip winter maintenance: Perth winters are mild enough for algae to grow. Reducing maintenance is fine, but stopping entirely is risky
- Arrange pool care before holidays: If you are going away, arrange for someone to maintain your pool while you are gone
Get a Green Pool Recovery Quote
If your pool has turned green, the best approach is to get a professional assessment quickly. The sooner treatment begins, the less it will cost and the faster your pool will be back to normal.
Pool Cleaning Perth provides same-day green pool assessments across the Perth metropolitan area. We will inspect your pool, test the water, assess your equipment, and give you an honest, upfront quote before any work begins. There are no hidden fees and no surprises. Call us on 08 7943 6637 or request a quote online.
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