Pool |
updated: 20/09/07 |
- In Your Pool
- Pool Covers
- Topping Up
- New Pools
- Cleaning & Maintaining Your Pool
- Getting Expert Advice
In Your Pool
With an ongoing drought affecting water supplies on the Central Coast and around Australia, external use of town water may currently be heavily restricted or banned altogether.
For further information on current water restrictions, please contact your local Council.
By following a few simple tips and using alternate water sources, you can still maintain your pool during the drought.
Pool Covers
A pool cover can reduce evaporation in your pool by up to 90%. Evaporation occurs mainly at night when the air temperature drops below the temperature of the pool.
By reducing evaporation you not only save water (up to 1.5m per year in some areas) you will also save on the cost of chemicals, as you won’t have to rebalance your pool after topping up as often and you will reduce the amount of chlorine lost to the sun’s UV rays.
A pool cover will also help to keep your pool clear of debris, by up to 90% depending on the level of use. Most pool cleaners will also work well underneath a cover.
It will also keep your pool warmer, reducing heating costs and extending the swimming season. If your pool is in a sunny position, a pool cover can increase your pool’s temperature by up to 8 degrees.
Some tips for using a pool cover include:
- Have it properly fitted to increase efficiency.
- Consider purchasing a roller for ease of use and storage.
- Don’t superchlorinate while the pool cover is on.
- Don’t leave the cover on the lawn as it may damage the cover or burn the lawn if left too long.
- Salt chlorinators and automatic chlorine dosers should be run at a reduced rate if the cover is on for extended periods.
Topping Up
Under water restrictions you may not be permitted to top up or refill your pool with town water and should consider the use of alternate water supplies such as rainwater tanks, bore water or down pipe diverters.
Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council both provide rebates on rainwater tanks, for further information contact your local council.
New Pools
If current restrictions do not permit filling of pools from the town water supply, you will need to check to see if your installer has a permit to use town water under ‘water banking’ arrangements with the local Council, or access to an alternative supply.
When designing your new pool, consider incorporating simple ideas like beach swim out areas or rolled edges to stop water loss through splashing.
Cleaning & Maintaining Your Pool
Looking after your pool is a simple balance of adequate filtration and correct chemical treatment. By keeping your pool properly maintained you reduce the risk of unnecessary emptying and frequent backwashing.
Keep your pool filled half way up the skimmer level, regular overfilling will reduce effectiveness and waste water. Also, installing the largest available cartridge filter or a sand filter will require less cleaning and will use up to 80% less water.
When it rains don’t drain the excess water out of your pool, as it will eventually evaporate. If you have a sand filter, use this opportunity to back wash the filter. Otherwise, always remember to backwash or clean your filter on the grass.
Don’t let your pool go un-maintained during winter, as cleaning it will be costly and use more water than it would to maintain your pool year round.
Getting Expert Advice
Pool leaks are common and waste enormous amounts of water, yet they are easily fixed. So you should consider having an expert conduct a leakage test on your pool. Regular inspections are recommended every three years.
For more information about maintaining your pool, see your local Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) member.
This information sheet was prepared with assistance from the Swimming Pools and Spas Association of NSW. For further information, please visit www.spasa.org.au.
Click here to download a copy of the info sheet above in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf).
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