Swimming pools consume a large amount of potable (drinkable) water, and provide dangers to children, for insect breeding, and polluted groundwater. If you have a swimming pool, it is very important that you manage it with extreme care to prevent these dangers from harming people and the environment...and your pocketbook!
- Lower pool water level to reduce loss of water through splashing.
- Use a water-saving swimming pool filter.
Replace pool filters with a new water-saving pool filter. - Clean filters by dismantling and cleaning rather than backwashing.
A single backwashing with a traditional filter can use 180 to 250 gallons of water. - Backwash in non-sensitive areas.
Recycle backwash water in areas where appropriate. - Ensure that water features recycle water.
Only use water features such as fountains or waterfalls that recycle the water. Post signs letting the public know the water is recycling in the fountain. Turn the water feature off during drought conditions and put up appropriate signage explaining why. - Reduce stormwater runoff.
To remove debris from sidewalks and driveways, sweep or blow, never use a hose to wash these areas. Make sure sprinklers don't water the driveways or sidewalks. This contributes to stormwater runoff, taking the oils and chemicals to the creeks, lakes and drinking water supply. - Use reclaimed water.
Reclaimed water or reuse water is wastewater treated, but not to potable standards. If available and allowed by local regulation, use reclaimed water for watering lawns, shrubs and flower beds. Check with your wastewater utility for information.