Health & Fitness
Pool Maintenance and Water-Saving Tips – Do Your Part!
Conserve more water and improve pool maintenance with these seven tips in honor of Water Awareness Month.
We are lucky enough to live in San Diego County with near perfect weather throughout the year. So, with summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to take out those bathing suits and prepare your pool for summertime activities. In doing so, we should also keep in mind that water is one of Earth’s most valuable resources and it’s important to be smart about your pool’s maintenance and conserve water whenever possible.
Since May is Water Awareness Month (and the beginning of swimsuit season), here are seven ways to improve pool maintenance and conserve more water:
1. Get a pool cover – and use it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pool covers reduce evaporation by 30 to 50 percent. As an added bonus, they also help conserve heat and reduce algae growth.
2. Turn down the temperature. Warmer water evaporates quicker than cooler water. By turning down the temperature of your pool, you will not only save on heating costs, but also help maintain your pool’s water level.
3. Keep pool filters clean. Pool filters get clogged with dirt and debris, which results in lower water circulation. When the water isn’t circulating properly, your pool can look murky and begin growing algae. By cleaning the filter regularly, your pool water will stay nice and clear.
4. Lower the pool’s water level. Keeping pool water at the appropriate level will help with water loss, especially if your pool sees a lot of horseplay and splashing. It’s recommended to keep the water level an inch above the bottom of the pool tile.
5. Reduce wind evaporation. Decreasing the amount of wind going across your pool will help reduce evaporation. This can be done by planting pool-area shrubs or using privacy screenings as barriers to block wind.
6. Check for and repair leaks. Monitor your water bill for inconsistencies that could indicate a leak. Leaks can waste as much as 100,000 gallons of water a year, so it’s important to check for and repair leaks as quickly as possible.
7. Consider recycling, instead of draining your pool. Draining and then refilling is a common way to clean a pool and it’s recommended to be done every two to three years. However, this process may require the use of harsh chemicals and wastes huge amounts of water, not to mention the incredible inconvenience. An eco-friendly alternative to pool draining is recycling pool water through “The Puripool Process” offered by Pool Services Technologies. Using “The Puripool Process,” a mobile filtration unit removes all unwanted chemicals and impurities (total dissolved solids, calcium, Cyanuric Acid, phosphates, nitrates, viruses, etc), resulting in pool water so clean you can drink it. This process conserves nearly 85 percent of existing water, but also takes less time, requires fewer chemicals, demands fewer cleanings every three to five years, and will be gentler to you and your swimming guests skin year-round. No more red eyes!
Water conservation is a very important issue in California. According to the Association of California Water Associations, homes with a pool use about 58 percent more water than homes without one, so any steps pool owners can take to conserve water will make a positive impact on their pocketbook and for Mother Earth.
