I've had small quantities of sand in the pool over the past couple years most likely from my sand filter. This morning a small green plastic ring came out from under the position handle of the Vari-Flo Control Valve. It's squished and broken. Looks like it's been wearing for a long time. (Don't have a picture with me right now) I haven't been able to find any parts manual that ID's this piece. The pool is clearer today and I noticed there is a lot of sand in the bottom. More than usual. Could the control valve have issues causing sand to leak into pool? The pool is also not clearing up as quickly as it has in the past.

It is a Hayward Vari-Flo Control Valve SP714 on a sand filter base S180T