Eco-Friendly Pools

Pools are a luxury, especially in times when water is scarce. If you are considering building a new pool this summer you have to think of ways to make your pool more sustainable. From natural and solar-heated pools to moss filters or pool sharing – there are many sustainable ways to enjoy your pool this summer.

According to Water Wise, there are about 168 000 pools in South Africa. Residential pools can hold anything from 20 000 to 80 000 litres of water. The average evaporation rate in summer is between 6mm and 8 mm a day. That is 2600 litres of evaporated water every month, and 31 200 litres of evaporated water every year. That’s 208, 10-minute showers a year.

Whether you are building a new pool or if you already have one, these tips can help you be more water-wise, making your pool more eco-friendly this summer.

Pool Covers

Something as simple as a pool cover can reduce water evaporation by 97%. This also saves you money. If you’re building a new pool consider building it in a partly shaded area and invest in a good pool cover. In countries like Namibia and Australia, the use of pool covers are very common.

Natural Pools

By far the smartest way to build your pool. Natural pools are chemical-free and affordable. In a natural pool gravel and clay are used instead of concrete and fiberglass. Aquatic plants replace chlorine and mechanical filtering systems. These plants also have natural purification processes that support filtration. Beneficial bacteria provide a natural habitat for aquatic life that enrich the pool with oxygen.

Moss Filters

Moss-filtered pools reduce the need for chemicals because they inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This reduces water consumption, especially during “backwashing” as there is less frequent need to send water to waste with a moss filter.

Shared Pools

The idea of a shared pool might be new to you. But in many neighbourhoods around the world, families are sharing their pools with other families and by doing so, also share the costs of the upkeep of the pool.

Solar Heating

Having a warm pool all year round doesn’t have to be expensive at all. You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs with a solar pool heater. The great thing about solar heaters is that they have a low operating cost and are considered a cost-effective use of solar energy all around the world.

You can do your part for the environment by incorporating these eco-friendly ideas and advice at your home pool. Make sure you get the most out of your pool this summer by sticking with HOMEMAKERS.