Without current water testing numbers, we can't tell you whether to add stabilized chlorine or cal hypo. If you'll test with drop-based kit, and post numbers, we can better advise you. You're right, there is no liquid chlorine in Louisiana, but I use bleach very successfully in my pool (I'm near Shreveport). I just run my stabilizer up higher than most to compensate for the climate difference.

Odds are good that the pH got too low and caused the wrinkles, but they are also good that the ground water is so high in our state that pressure from the water, especially if it's pooling under the liner, has caused them. Again, testing numbers will help us there. Also, if there's water pooling under the liner, I'm sure the black spots are black algae or possibly mold. NOthing you can really do if it's under the liner, but bleaching the heck out of it (in a controlled fashion) will help if it's on top of the liner.

As far as draining a pool, especially with our ground water, it usually will make the liner unuseable again. If it's not above ground, the water table will likely "float" the shell, if the company doesn't know what it's doing.

Janet