Although many parts of the country have recently received enough rainfall to replenish reservoirs, lakes and streams to pre-drought levels, some areas still have drought warnings in effect and whether in a drought or not, the following simple pointers will help to keep your pool water where it belongs and the environment free of pool chemicals.
- First of all, repair any and all visible leaks right away. Even the smallest leak point can result in large amounts of water leaving a pool… and depending upon the location of the leak that runaway water could potentially erode the ground under your pool causing all sorts of other problems.
- Should your pool pump’s operating pressure rise by about 10 psi (pounds per square inch), clean the filters elements (fingers, cartridges, etc.) or backwash the system. Take care NOT to allow wash water or backwash water to run into a storm water drain, stream or other natural body of water.
- Warmer water will evaporate faster than cooler water so keeping your pool water temperature around 78 degrees Fahrenheit will make it pleasant to cool off in and less likely to evaporate.
- Increased wind over a pool’s surface also increases the evaporation rate so if possible, plant trees and shrubs around the pool to protect it from blowing winds. Just make certain not to plant anything that drops leaves, berries or other things that would wind up in the pool.
- Use of a solar cover to insulate the water in the evenings will help to reduce evaporation. Worried that you can’t get the cover on and off? Solar cover reels install easily on most pools and make moving solar covers easy enough for one person to do the job.
- This last one takes the heart of a lion, we admit: Discourage excess splashing of water out of the pool… if possible. Kids WILL be kids and cannonballs ARE fun (even for us adults!) but if conserving water is the goal, cutting back on the cannonballs will have to happen. 🙂
In short, swimming pools offer a wealth of fun in the sun (and after dark if the temperature stays right!) and keeping them running right and doing our best to reduce water loss comes as part of the package. Another part of the package involves safe, responsible use and disposal of the chemicals used to keep pools operating safely and cleanly. Have FUN in the pool, definitely, but try to keep the water and chemicals where they belong: In the pool.
