Swimming Pool Water Conservation in Your New Home

It goes without saying that a steady supply of water is essential for comfortable living. But wastage of water is posing a serious problem to our governments and indeed, our planet and water authorities are setting up many restrictions to try and ensure that we use water the right way. Water is wasted in excess by a vast majority of the population largely due to ignorance of the how important it is to conserve water for a better future, and those who are aware may not know what they can do to contribute to water conservation.

In Bathrooms, laundry, swimming pools, spas and gardens are key points where water is used in great quantities. In several places across the world, the water authorities impose restrictions on refilling swimming pools if they hold more than a certain volume of water. Permits are also required to install a swimming pool and some of the requirements include installation of water saving devices. Some water saving devices are relatively inexpensive and quite efficient, for example, changing the old showerhead in your bathrooms to a new water saving one which uses less water but gives you the same pressure. Not only does this conserve water, but money as well, vis-a-vis an economized water bill.

If you have a swimming pool in your new home, there are a number of ways to limit the amount of water that the pool uses. This includes taking appropriate measures to reduce evaporation and splashing, properly maintaining all equipment, and wind protection if you have a spillover design.

The following are some water conservation tips if you have a swimming pool in your new home.

 Pools and spas have chemicals in them to keep the water clean. Always ensure that the correct chemical balance is maintained. When the chemical balance isn't right, the water becomes contaminated and may need to be replaced quickly.

 Top up pools and spas only occasionally and only when necessary. Avoid this or keep it to a minimum during droughts.

 Do not let your pets into the pool. They will contaminate the water which will require unnecessary cleaning and refilling.

 Ensure regular maintenance of the pool. Run the filter and check the chemical balance regularly, solicit the help of a pool technician if you are unable to do so yourself. The filter may need to be run up to eight hours every day in summer and for a few hours in winter.

 When the pool is not being used, put a pool cover on top to stop evaporation. Bubble and thermal evaporation covers are inexpensive but highly effective.

 Sometimes, pools may run a leak. If you suspect a leak, your pool installation company will advise you on how to check for leaks using a bucket and a marker pen. Check for leaks on a regular basis. A steady leak that is left unchecked will waste the equivalent of an entire pool of water every year.

 A water audit done by a qualified plumber every year is one of the best things you can do to conserve water. One flow control valve on the main shower and you will end up saving more water than what your pool uses in one year.