Green Pool Recovery Cost in Sydney (2026)
Recovering a green pool in Sydney costs $345-$920, typically around $630 spread over two to four visits. The price turns on how far the algae has gone, the size and surface of the pool, and how hard the filter has to work to clear the dead algae out afterwards.
Quick answer — green pool recovery in Sydney
| Severity | What it looks like | Sydney cost |
|---|---|---|
| Light green / cloudy | Caught within a week, still see-through | $345 – $500 |
| Full green | Can't see the bottom, surfaces slippery | $500 – $720 |
| Black / swamp | Weeks of neglect, dark water, heavy debris | $720 – $920 |
| Typical recovery | ~$630, usually across 2–4 visits | |
For context, a routine one-off clean on a healthy pool runs about $230 and an ongoing service plan averages $205/month. A green recovery costs more because it's several visits, a heavy chemical load, and a filter run hard for days.
What drives the cost of a green pool
How far it's gone
Algae compounds fast in a Sydney summer. A pool that's been off a week clears with a shock-and-balance in a couple of visits. One left a month grows black or mustard algae that clings to the surfaces and resists chlorine — that's the top of the range.
Pool size and surface
More water means more chemicals. Pebblecrete and tiled surfaces hold algae in the grout and texture, so they take more brushing and longer to clear than a smooth fibreglass shell.
Dead algae has to be filtered out
Once the algae is killed the water turns cloudy and has to be filtered or vacuumed to waste — often running the pump 24+ hours with repeated filter cleans. On a tired filter this is where a recovery sometimes turns up a pump or filter replacement.
Chemical recovery vs drain and clean
Most green pools are recovered chemically — chlorine shock, an algaecide, then a clarifier or flocculant to drop the dead algae so it can be vacuumed out. This keeps the water in and is the cheaper path ($345–$720 in most cases).
A full drain, acid-wash and refill is reserved for the worst black-algae or stained pools where the chemistry is too far gone to rescue. It's labour-heavy and you pay to refill, so it sits at the top of the range and beyond. Draining also carries real risk on a high water table after Sydney rain — an empty fibreglass or concrete shell can lift or crack, so a good operator avoids it unless there's no choice.
Worked example — full green 8m × 4m pool, Sutherland Shire
| Initial assessment + chlorine shock | $230 |
| Algaecide + clarifier (second visit) | $180 |
| Vacuum to waste + filter clean | $160 |
| Final balance + handover | $110 |
| Total | $680 |
The cheapest green pool is the one you never get. A regular service plan at ~$205/month works out far cheaper than one bad green-up a summer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a green pool in Sydney?
Between $345 and $920, with most recoveries around $630 spread over two to four visits. Light green pools sit at the bottom of that range; black or mustard algae from weeks of neglect sits at the top.
Why is fixing a green pool so much more than a normal clean?
A routine clean is one visit (~$230). A green recovery is several visits, a heavy dose of shock and algaecide, and a filter run hard for days to clear the dead algae — so the labour and chemical load are much higher.
How long does it take to clear a green pool?
Light green water usually clears in two to three days; a full green-up can take up to a week of filtering; black or mustard algae takes longer and sometimes needs a second shock.
Should I drain my pool to fix it?
Usually no. Chemical recovery keeps the water in and is cheaper. Draining is only for the worst stained or black-algae pools, and it carries a real risk of the shell lifting or cracking on Sydney's high water table after rain.
Can I fix a green pool myself?
Light green you can often rescue with a shock, balance and plenty of filtering. Black or mustard algae clings to the surfaces and resists chlorine, so it usually needs a professional with the right chemicals and a plan to protect your equipment.
← Back to Sydney pool maintenance cost hub