Water Saving Tips for Pool Owners

To say that it has been a hot, dry summer thus far would be an understatement. As of this writing, it has been 46 days since our last measurable rain (June 3rd), the 9th longest streak since records have been kept (1898). The current drought combined with the continued influx of new residents to the north Texas area can and has put a heavy burden on our resources—especially our water. Most DFW municipalities have not started restricting water use, but it certainly appears to be a possibility if the current trend continues.

Many other parts of the country are also experiencing drought conditions, especially the western United States. Most of you are aware of Lake Mead just east of Las Vegas on the Arizona border. Lake Mead is almost 200’ low, the lowest that it has been since the lake was filled in the 1930’s. Many believe that it will never be full again. Lake Powell, on the border of Arizona & Utah, is not far behind at almost 170’ below normal levels.

Although we at Gohlke Pools have always been concerned that pools put an increased demand on our water sources, evidently that is not the case. According to The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, “a properly maintained spa or pool uses less water in a season than watering a lawn of the same size.” Probably the best source that I have seen on this topic is letspooltogether.com. It includes data to support the fact that water usage for pools is less than it would be for traditional lawns and landscaping. It also has water saving tips and has links to other resources on dealing with the drought.

Even with the results of this research, we all need to do our part to conserve the water that we have. We can install more water friendly landscaping and it is important that pool owners do their part to conserve water. Following are some water saving tips for pool owners:

• Maintain the proper chemical levels and adequate circulation time. This will help keep from having to drain the pool to correct any problems.
• Turn off unnecessary fountains and waterfalls. These can cause a significant amount of water loss due to evaporation.
• If the pool is equipped with an overflow line, consider plugging it whenever swimming or when it is raining. This prevents water loss through the overflow line.
• When filling the pool, be sure to keep from overflowing the pool. Forgetting to turn off the water can make for a costly waste of water.
• Repair any swimming pool leaks. Even a small leak in either the pool equipment or the pool’s structure represents a substantial waste.

Let’s all do our part so that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonderful resources that we have had.