We all know water is a precious commodity in Australia and New Zealand, particularly when there’s a drought on. For pool and spa owners concerned about water usage, a few simple design and maintenance changes will help minimise your environmental impact, while maximising all the benefits your backyard pool provides.
Ask three people the same question and you’ll get three different answers – especially when it comes to swimming pools and spas. There are so many myths and so much misinformation surrounding water usage, maintenance and best practice for swimming pool owners.
We’ve made it easy to sort out the facts from the fairytales, with the SPASA Water - Best Practice Debunking Myths brochure. Click on the link to find out how to best protect and manage water in your pool and spa.
If you want to limit evaporation and minimise leaf litter, get yourself a pool cover.
Uncovered, the average-sized backyard swimming pool will lose around 7mm of water per day during summer. A pool cover can help reduce evaporation by between 90-95% - that’s a saving of around 3000 litres a month, depending on the size of your pool.
That’s not all they are good for, as pool covers provide plenty of other benefits;
They’ll keep your pool cleaner for longer
You’ll spend less on chemicals because of less water evaporation
Covers trap in heat, so you’ll save energy and reduce pool heating costs
Warmer water means you’ll be swimming longer…the greatest gift of all!
When shopping around, make sure to look for pool covers that meet the stringent requirements of the Climate Care Certified program, ensuring you get the best possible solution for your pool.
Harvesting rainwater is a simple way to reduce environmental impact. Options include downpipe diverters that deliver rainwater directly from the rooftop to the pool, through to more permanent storage options. A fixed rainwater tank allows you to store top-up water until needed. The same rainwater can also be used for the laundry and toilet, increasing household water efficiency and saving money on water bills.
Above ground rainwater tanks come in a range of sizes, colours and shapes, including slimpline options for smaller urban spaces, and are usually constructed from corrugated iron, steel or lightweight polyethylene. You’ll easily be able to find one that blends in to your outdoor area.
Backwashing (the process to clean your swimming pool filter), can use extra water if you aren’t careful. It can even reduce the effectiveness of filters if you do it too often. Ensuring the pool and filters are clean will reduce the need for backwashing. You should only backwash until the water in the sight-glass runs clean.
Filter backwash or de-chlorinated pool wastewater can be collected and reused on lawns and gardens. For more information, check out some of the products and solutions on our Certified Range page.
Cartridge filters are a popular alternative to traditional filter media alternatives like sand, glass and zeolite. They can screen out more dirt and debris thanks to a larger filtration area. Many also incorporate antimicrobial material to prevent bacterial growth. They simplify maintenance because they reduce or eliminate the need for frequent backwashing. There are some great Climate Care Certified options available.
Regular maintenance is the answer to a lot of problems when it comes to water savings and energy use. It’s important to keep an eye on your pool and equipment to keep things running smoothly. That means cleaning the filter cartridge element regularly, as well as soaking and degreasing twice a year to improve longevity and to condition the cartridge. Not cleaning the cartridge increases the likelihood of a clogged filter, which will cause water circulation and filtration headaches.