7 How to Maintain a Pool During a Drought Tips That Protect Our Waters
Learn 7 expert strategies to maintain your pool during drought conditions while conserving water. Covers evaporation prevention, leak detection, and smart maintenance tips.
Drought conditions don’t mean you have to drain your pool or watch it turn green. Smart water conservation paired with strategic maintenance keeps your pool crystal clear while respecting local water restrictions.
The key lies in maximizing every drop you use and preventing costly water loss through proper equipment care and chemical balance. These seven expert-backed strategies will help you maintain a sparkling pool even when water supplies run low.
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Reduce Water Evaporation With Pool Covers
Keep your rectangular Intex pool clean and protected with this durable cover. Designed for 103" x 69" or 120" x 72" pools, it helps prevent debris from entering the water.
Pool covers slash evaporation by up to 95% during drought conditions. You’ll save thousands of gallons monthly while maintaining proper water levels without violating local restrictions.
Choose the Right Cover Material
Solar covers offer dual benefits during drought maintenance. They prevent evaporation while heating your pool water naturally through UV absorption.
Heat your pool water and keep it clean with the Intex Solar Pool Cover. Designed for 16ft round pools, it reduces water evaporation and minimizes debris, saving you money on chemicals.
Solid vinyl covers provide maximum evaporation protection but require complete removal for swimming. Consider automatic cover systems if your budget allows for frequent daily use.
Protect your valuable record collection with these durable, clear plastic outer sleeves. The 3 Mil polyethylene provides superior protection from scratches, dust, and liquids, while the acid-free construction prevents discoloration.
Proper Installation and Removal Techniques
Install covers immediately after swimming sessions end. Pull tight across the entire surface to eliminate air pockets that reduce effectiveness.
Remove covers carefully to prevent debris from falling into your pool water. Rinse and dry covers before storage to extend their lifespan during extended drought periods.
Optimize Your Pool’s Chemical Balance
Drought conditions make precise chemical management critical since you can’t afford to dump water due to imbalanced chemistry. Your pool’s smaller water volume concentrates chemicals faster, requiring more frequent adjustments.
Monitor pH and Chlorine Levels More Frequently
Keep your pool water clean and clear with Clorox Pool&Spa XTRABLUE 3" Chlorinating Tablets. These tablets kill bacteria, prevent algae, and contain conditioners for silky smooth water.
Test your water chemistry twice daily during drought periods rather than the typical weekly schedule. High temperatures and increased bather loads from staying home more often throw off chemical balance quickly. You’ll catch problems before they force expensive water replacement or damage equipment.
Use Stabilized Chemicals to Prevent Loss
Switch to stabilized chlorine products containing cyanuric acid to protect against UV breakdown. Unstabilized chlorine burns off rapidly in intense sunlight, forcing you to add more chemicals and potentially more water. Stabilized products last 3-5 times longer, reducing both chemical waste and the need for dilution adjustments.
Lower Your Pool’s Water Temperature
Cooler water evaporates significantly slower than warm water, making temperature control one of your most effective drought conservation strategies. Every 10°F reduction in water temperature can cut evaporation rates by up to 30%.
Install Energy-Efficient Pool Equipment
Variable-speed pumps reduce heat generation while circulating water more efficiently than single-speed models. They’ll cut your energy costs by up to 70% while keeping water temperatures naturally lower through gentler circulation patterns that don’t agitate and warm the surface.
Save energy and optimize pool performance with the AQUASTRONG Variable Speed Pool Pump. Customize speeds up to 8189GPH and program up to four time periods daily for efficient filtration.
Utilize Natural Shade Solutions
Strategic shade placement blocks direct sunlight that heats your pool throughout the day. Plant fast-growing trees like umbrella trees or bamboo on the south and west sides, or install shade sails and pergolas for immediate temperature reduction of 5-10°F during peak sun hours.
Fix Leaks Immediately to Prevent Water Loss
Even minor leaks can drain hundreds of gallons weekly during drought conditions. You’ll need to identify and repair these water thieves before they compound your conservation efforts.
Conduct Regular Leak Detection Tests
Perform the bucket test monthly by placing a water-filled bucket on your pool step and marking both water levels. Check after 24 hours—if your pool water drops more than the bucket water, you’ve got a leak.
Use food coloring near suspected leak areas like skimmers, returns, and tile lines. The dye will flow toward active leaks, making them visible for immediate repair.
Address Common Problem Areas
Focus on pool equipment first—pump seals, filter housing gaskets, and plumbing connections develop leaks under drought stress. Tighten fittings and replace worn O-rings immediately.
Check your pool’s structure next, especially around lights, skimmers, and return jets where shifting soil during dry conditions creates gaps. Seal these areas with pool-safe caulk or patches.
Implement Strategic Water Conservation Practices
Every drop counts during drought conditions, and smart conservation practices can dramatically reduce your pool’s water consumption. These targeted strategies help you maintain excellent water quality while minimizing waste.
Reduce Backwashing Frequency
Extend your filter cycles to preserve precious water during drought restrictions. Traditional weekly backwashing can waste 200-500 gallons per session, but you can safely stretch intervals to 10-14 days by monitoring pressure gauge readings. Clean your skimmer baskets daily and brush pool walls twice weekly to reduce filter workload and maintain water clarity between extended backwash cycles.
Collect and Reuse Rainwater
Capture rainfall in large containers or tarps to supplement your pool’s water supply. Position clean buckets and storage tanks around your property to collect runoff from gutters and downspouts during storm events. You can add this collected rainwater directly to your pool after testing pH levels, potentially saving 50-100 gallons per rainfall while reducing dependency on municipal water sources.
Adjust Pool Usage and Maintenance Schedules
Smart scheduling reduces water waste while maintaining pool health during drought restrictions. You’ll maximize conservation by timing activities and maintenance tasks strategically.
Limit High-Splash Activities
Reduce cannonballs and diving games during peak drought periods to minimize water displacement. Activities like water volleyball and gentle swimming preserve 20-30% more water than vigorous splashing games. Save high-energy pool activities for times when water restrictions ease.
Time Maintenance During Cooler Hours
Schedule vacuuming and chemical testing between 6-8 AM or after 7 PM when evaporation rates drop significantly. Cooler temperatures reduce chemical evaporation by up to 40% compared to midday maintenance. You’ll also avoid the afternoon sun that accelerates chlorine breakdown.
Consider Alternative Water Sources
When municipal water restrictions tighten during drought periods, smart pool owners look beyond traditional tap water to maintain their pools effectively.
Explore Greywater Systems
Greywater from washing machines and bathroom sinks can supplement your pool’s water supply when properly filtered and treated. You’ll need to install a basic filtration system that removes soap residues and lint before directing this water to your pool. Most greywater systems cost $500-$1,500 but can provide 50-100 gallons daily for pool maintenance during severe drought conditions.
Investigate Local Water Recycling Programs
Many municipalities offer recycled water programs specifically designed for pool filling and maintenance at reduced costs compared to potable water. You can typically purchase recycled water for 30-50% less than regular tap water through truck delivery services or designated filling stations. Contact your local water authority to explore availability, as these programs often have priority access during drought emergencies.
Conclusion
Maintaining your pool during drought conditions doesn’t mean sacrificing water quality or giving up on swimming altogether. With these seven strategic approaches you can significantly reduce water waste while keeping your pool crystal clear and ready for use.
The key lies in being proactive rather than reactive. By investing in proper covers reducing evaporation fixing leaks promptly and adjusting your maintenance schedule you’ll preserve thousands of gallons throughout the drought period.
Remember that small changes create big impacts. Every gallon you save through smart chemical management alternative water sources and modified usage habits contributes to both environmental conservation and your wallet’s health during these challenging times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water can a pool cover save during drought conditions?
Pool covers can reduce water evaporation by up to 95%, potentially saving thousands of gallons monthly. Solar covers provide dual benefits by preventing evaporation while naturally heating the water, while solid vinyl covers offer maximum protection. Proper installation with tight fitting is essential to eliminate air pockets and maximize water conservation benefits.
How often should I test pool chemicals during a drought?
Maintain balanced pool water effortlessly with ARM & HAMMER Clear Balance tablets. These convenient tablets, formulated with baking soda, optimize chlorine performance and protect pool surfaces.
During drought conditions, monitor pH and chlorine levels twice daily instead of the usual weekly schedule. Smaller water volumes cause quicker chemical concentration changes, especially with high temperatures and increased bather loads. Use stabilized chlorine products containing cyanuric acid, which last significantly longer in sunlight and reduce chemical waste.
Can lowering pool temperature help conserve water during drought?
Yes, reducing pool temperature significantly decreases evaporation rates. Every 10°F reduction can cut evaporation by up to 30%. Install energy-efficient equipment like variable-speed pumps to maintain cooler temperatures while reducing energy costs by up to 70%. Natural shade solutions can achieve immediate temperature reductions of 5-10°F.
How can I detect and fix pool leaks during drought?
Conduct regular leak detection using the bucket test and food coloring near suspected areas. Check equipment first—pump seals, filter housing gaskets—then inspect pool structure around lights and skimmers. Even minor leaks can waste hundreds of gallons weekly, so seal gaps immediately with pool-safe caulk or patches.
Should I change my pool maintenance schedule during drought?
Yes, adjust maintenance timing to cooler hours (6-8 AM or after 7 PM) to reduce evaporation and chemical loss. Extend filter cycles to reduce backwashing frequency, as traditional weekly backwashing wastes 200-500 gallons per session. Clean skimmer baskets daily and brush walls twice weekly for optimal water clarity.
What activities should I avoid during drought to conserve pool water?
Limit high-splash activities like cannonballs and diving games that cause significant water displacement. Instead, encourage gentler swimming activities that minimize water loss. Time pool usage during cooler hours when possible to reduce overall evaporation rates and maximize water conservation efforts.
Are there alternative water sources for pool maintenance during drought?
Yes, consider greywater systems that can provide 50-100 gallons daily when properly filtered and treated. Collect rainwater from gutters and downspouts to supplement pool water supply, potentially saving 50-100 gallons per rainfall. Contact local water authorities about recycled water programs offering reduced-cost water for pool filling.
