How can Swimming Pools be Drought Friendly?

A lack of rain for the third consecutive year in California has most people on high alert and in conservation mode with any and all water use.  

When asking how we can save water, there are many things that come immediately to mind:

• shorter showers
• less flushing
• watering our lawns less
• choosing drought tolerant plants

In some cities it has become a requirement to only water on certain days or at specific times.

In many cities, restaurants are also not allowed to serve you water unless you ask for it specifically.

Concerns have been raised in many areas of California over pools.  Are they using too much water?  How can they be drought friendly?  Should their use/filling be restricted? People don’t often think about a pool as being drought friendly, but maybe it can be?

How can a swimming pool be drought friendly?

It is true; initially filling a pool nets an overall year (or two) in more water than would be used watering a lawn.  However, maintaining an existing pool, or considering a new pool over a period of time (approximately 3 years), is, in fact, a more friendly option when maintained properly than a lawn of the same size. Consider that often the area surrounding a pool is a hard surface (concrete or wood).  Studies have been done that show that after the third year of a pool being used it actually uses less water than would be used to water a lawn of the same size.  The pool must be maintained properly, including the use of a pool cover.

Consider this when filling an average-sized pool (about 26,000 gallons): if an 800 sq. ft. patch of grass were replaced by artificial turf at the same time of filling the pool, the water use over the first year would actually be less than not filling the pool and continuing to water the grass.

In essence, pool owners can actually save more water by replacing lawns and remodeling their pools than doing nothing.

Pool Covers can help save thousands of gallons of water

A proper pool cover is an important step in saving water.  Water is lost in a pool in three primary ways:

• Evaporation
• Seepage through the shell
• Splash Out

Evaporation– most pool owners understand that evaporation accounts for about 1/8” to 1/4” a day of water loss depending on the weather, shade, etc.. If the pool is equipped with an auto-fill, a device which automatically refills pools, additional water loss may not be readily apparent.  Excessive water loss could be caused by a leak that will not be obvious. Occasionally, auto-fills should be turned off and the waterline marked to determine if water loss is exceeding normal expectations.

To determine if there is a leak, perform a bucket test. Turn off the auto-fill if you have one. Fill a bucket with water and mark the water level. Mark the waterline level of the water in the pool with tape. Place the bucket on the top step of the pool. After a week, compare the level of water and see if they have dropped a similar amount. If the pool has dropped more than the water in the bucket, there is probably a leak.

Seepage – most pool finishes are not waterproof. A plastered pool does not prevent water from seeping through the shell.  Only vinyl and fiberglass are 100% waterproof, barring any cracks.

Splash Out – thousands of gallons of water are splashed out of pools every day from simple horseplay.  An increased awareness of this can help prevent this water loss.

Pool covers won’t have an impact on seepage or splash out, but can save about 85% of evaporation, the primary cause of pool water loss. Some cities, like Huntington Beach, CA, won’t sign off on a new pool permit without a proper cover planned for the pool.  

As a pool owner there are ways to further your conservation efforts during the drought.  Starting with a cover if you don’t already have one would be the first step.  There are very cost effective covers available including biodegradable liquid covers. Other steps that could be done would include:

• replacing lawns around the home with artificial turf
• perform  a bucket test twice a year
• replacing landscaping with drought friendly plants and/or rocks
• lowering the pool level to minimize water loss through splashing
• changing pool finish to a waterproofed type

Everyone can and should conserve water during this time of exceptional drought, but a pool may very well be helping you do that more than you thought!