How do you conserve your Pool Water?
The above question has been on every pool owners lips this month, and we believe that the seriousness of the impending drought has finally sunk in. With severe water cuts already in place, and local municipalities already enforcing strict hosepipe bans; this summer already looks doomed. Here at Shipshape HQ, we have been inundated with calls and enquiries from many concerned pool owners. Not only are they worried about the drought affecting their ‘swim time’, but also the morale aspect of topping up their pools whilst water supplies are so limited. We have been extremely busy researching different products, some new and others we have been selling for a number of years, and have come up with a few good ideas that will dramatically help in conserving your pool water.
Evaporation:
This is by far the most significant factor with regards to water loss with your pool. The average pool can lose up to 1 cm per day from heat and wind alone in the hot summer months. By placing an Anti-Evaporation cover on your pool, you can prevent evaporation by up to 90%. Finding a cover that will withstand our extremely hot climate has been a difficult task, as most solar type covers only have enough UV stabiliser added for use in Spring and Autumn. If these covers were used in the summer they would eventually crack and the bubbles would burst, causing them to be ineffective. However our European suppliers have manufactured a cover with a very high UV stabiliser added. This cover looks like the traditional solar/bubble type, but will withstand our hot climate. It should be noted that your pool water will heat up, but you will reduce topping up by up to 90% Another method of conserving pool water is to install Solar Sun Rings. These floating inflatable rings will not only heat up your pool, but if you turn them upside down they will heat your pool up less and conserve your pool water.
Backwashing:
All pools with sand filters will need to be backwashed at regular intervals so that the filter can work effectively. This will obviously use a tremendous amount of water. You should not be backwashing your filter every week, or every time you vacuum your pool. Only backwash when the pressure gauge on your filter has risen by 10psi. The need for backwashing can also be significantly reduced by trapping the fine dirt before it reaches the filter. Shipshape sell the Net’Skim, a fine net that fits over your skimmer baskets that will reduce the amount of small debris that enters your filter. We are also just importing a Cyclone pre filter that saves water and reduces filter maintenance. Shipshape have been the main distributor for Dolphin Pool Cleaners for the past two years. As the dirt from the bottom and sides of the pool are collected into its own micro-fine bag, backwashing is kept to minimum. All of the above will considerably reduce the need to top up your pool.
Topping up your pool:
Some local municipalities are already sending out information regarding water conservation. Most are stating that you can only top up your pool water with tankers. This will obviously be expensive. Maybe it would be a good idea to talk to your neighbours and together organise a tanker delivery on a regular basis.
I hope the above information helps. If you do need any further information please feel free to call in at our stores in Pafos, Polis, Coral Bay and Limassol. Or call us on 26 944114. Further information regarding all of our pool and spa products can be viewed on our website. www.poolsincyprus.com
By Manni Paschali Shipshape
