Conserve Water at Your Aquatic Facility

On the first day of summer this year, more than 45% of the lower 48 states were in a state of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor—with 33 states experiencing moderate drought or worse (an increase of six states from the previous week).

The situation is particularly dire in California, where the entire state was experiencing drought as of June 21, 2022, with nearly 60% of the state in "extreme" or "exceptional" drought. Restrictions are in place for the state, and the aquatics industry has been working to educate leaders about the facts on water use in pools and spas, while encouraging aquatic professionals and pool owners to learn more about water-conservation practices for their pools and hot tubs.

Are Pools a Problem?

Over the years, many false perceptions have arisen about pools and hot tubs and their water usage, sometimes leading to proposed bans on filling pools and hot tubs in times of drought. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has worked to establish the facts about pools and water use.

For example:

• A swimming pool uses substantially less water than comparable landscaped and planted areas, such as a lawn, according to an analysis of water use in swimming pools based on studies prepared by the City of Sacramento for use by the California SPEC (Spa & Pool Industry Energy, Codes and Legislative Council).
• The use of water in swimming pools and spas is minimal compared with any water district's annual water consumption, according to a California SPEC research project in the Santa Clara Valley (Calif.) district.

Start Conserving Water

In areas like California and much of the West where extreme drought is rampant, water conservation is a necessity. But no matter where you are located, all aquatic facilities can play an important role in water conservation.

Here are some ideas to help you start conserving water at your pool:

• In areas of extreme or exceptional drought, consider turning off waterfalls, fountains and other splashing water features that work to agitate the water. Since when water splashes, it is more easily lost to splash-out and evaporation.
• Warm water evaporates more quickly, so keep your pool water temperature down as much as possible and only use your pool's heater when necessary.

In addition to ecological benefits, these water-conserving measures will also deliver economic benefits, as you save energy costs as well as reduce your need for pool chemicals, making water conservation a win-win-win strategy.