Phosphates cause cloudy water and are common in the environment. They are constantly being introduced into the pool from a variety of sources. Algae can store phosphates in their cells, enabling them to survive periods of time in the absence of phosphates. To rid phosphates from your pool, you need to use a chemical to remove them. The chemical will not kill algae; it simple removes phosphates. By adding a phosphate reducer as part of a routine maintenance program ensures that any problems that do arise may be minimized.