Manual Backwash will not turn off

[Jtruex]

Hello,

I am taking care of a 733,000 gallon pool. I came in this morning and it was running a manual backwash and draining my pool out. I just want to know how this happens? Any ideas? If I need to let you know anymore info ask and I will tell.

[CarlD]

Are you really taking care of an Olympic-sized pool? 50 meters long, 100 feet wide, and on average 6 feet deep? Because that's how big such a pool would have to be.

[Jtruex]

Yes for about a month now I have been. I took the cpo certification course and my company promoted me to that position but I am having problems. Once I am offsite things end up going bad. The pool goes into a backwash by itself and I can't figure out why it does that.

[CarlD]

Ok, this is beyond me and my experience. Sounds like "backwash" is not a manual valve you turn as we do on residential pools, but a servo-driven setting. On my pool it's physically impossible for that to happen. Someone MUST switch it.

Maybe PoolDoc can help.

[PoolDoc]

I've had a lot of experience with short course pools, and some experience with long course pools, but I only have encountered an auto-backwash valve one . . . and it was an antique. Regardless, problems with such valves are going to be unique to that valve -- so your manual will be your best source.

However, you wrote:

Once I am offsite things end up going bad.

It's bad news I know, but I can tell you that that is TYPICAL of what happens at large commercial pools. More than once, I've padlocked controllers or valves to prevent eager, but ignorant, staff from screwing things up.

If I were in your situation, I'd force the valve in to manual mode (or auto, but only when I forced it!), and then backwash when I was on site! If you have someone whose likely to remain a pool service employee for at least 9 months longer, I consider training them, and then giving them a key. I wouldn't bother training staff who'll be on staff for less than 6 months. Teach them to vacuum, test, add water and . . . . to text you whenever there's a problem. Teach them to shock the pool, and maybe, force the filter in to auto-backwash, but ONLY under your direct instruction.

[CarlD]

I figured Ben would have a far better idea of what's going on than I would. I just did the math on what 733,000 gallons would mean in approx dimensions, and it came out to a 50 meter Olympic class pool. My local YMCA is only 25 yards.