BE WATER SMART THIS SUMMER WITH SWIMART’S TOP 6 TIPS

With parts of Australia facing ongoing drought conditions and tough water restrictions, your local Swimart pool care specialist has timely advice on how to save this increasingly precious resource.

“Pools aren’t the water wasters they’re often perceived to be,” says Swimart executive officer Rick Graham. “For example, a pool accounts for less than 10 per cent of the annual household water used in greater Sydney.”

Swimming pools store water for long periods of time. They filter, sanitise and keep water clean so it can be used again and again – unlike the water used in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, which is used once then disappears down the drain.

“Swimming pools are also a valuable water source that can assist firefighters saving your home in the event of a fire,” Rick explains. “However, education is integral to dispelling misconceptions and teaching pool owners how to properly maintain their pools.”

You don’t have to live in a drought-prone area or be on strict water restrictions to appreciate the benefits of conserving water. Fortunately, there are plenty of products that reduce water use whilst keeping your pool swim-ready all summer. Here are Swimart’s top six picks.

Reduce evaporation with a pool cover

Using a pool cover is one of the easiest ways to instantly save water – and keep your pool water sparkling clean between swims. It reduces evaporation by as much as 97 per cent (depending on the quality of the product), which means you don’t need to top up pool water. A cover or blanket also has the added benefit of protecting pool chemicals, which reduces maintenance time and costs.

Aussie owned Daisy Pool Covers, for example, use an original polyethylene bubble layer design that is engineered to maximise heat retention whilst dramatically reducing pool water evaporation.

Conserve water with a liquid pool blanket

Unlike conventional pool covers which have to be rolled up or removed every time you use your swimming pool, liquid pool blankets are designed to prevent heat loss and evaporation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Swimart’s pool care professionals recommend Solar Shield, which is an ultra-thin, invisible barrier that helps reduce evaporation by up to 32 per cent. One dose provides 30 days protection and conserves water, energy and pool chemicals. And it’s safe, non-toxic formula suits all pool finishes and sanitisers.

Save up to 7,000 litres of water per year with MultiCyclone

MultiCyclone is a dual-filtration system that reduces backwash frequency to roughly twice per year – saving between 7,000 and 10,000 litres of water per year for an average domestic-sized pool.

MultiCyclone’s award-winning technology reduces filter maintenance whilst saving water. It’s easy to install and can be added to a new or existing pool. Best of all, it has the coveted Smart Approved WaterMark and was recently certified by Climate Care.

Save hundreds of litres of water per year with a cartridge pool filter

When it comes to conserving water in the pool, cartridge filters typically require less water and energy to operate than sand filters.

There’s no need to backwash a cartridge filter because you simply hose down the element when required. This alone save hundreds of litres of water per year compared to backwashing a sand filter, which on average uses on average 750 litres of water per backwash.

Eliminate excessive backwashing with Glass Pearl filter media

Another way to reduce the need for excessive backwashing is by switching to Glass Pearl filter media. Its spherical smooth shape uses up to 20 per cent less backwash water than sand, reducing maintenance time and precious water. And because they offer much finer filtration than conventional filter media, Glass Pearl produces exceptional water quality.

One way to minimise backwashing when using conventional filter media is with a pool clarifier like Aqua-Health Aquashine that maintains the sparkle in pool water.

Put timers on your taps

Whether you’re using a hose to top up the pool or watering thirsty plants around the pool deck, timers are a simple yet effective way to manage your water consumption.