Construction is complete, your new pool is filled, and it’s tempting to take your first swim. But, no matter what the material— fiberglass, vinyl, or concrete—chances are good it has accumulated a good bit of dust and debris, which need eliminating before it’s safe to take the plunge.

To clean the water, the pool’s filter must be run non-stop until the water appears clear. This can take anywhere from a day to a week. It will also require diligent monitoring of the filter, which should be cleared regularly.

Once the water is clear, it then needs to be balanced and sanitized. Only then is it safe to start swimming. From that point, the filter should be run about an hour a day or until the water again looks clear.