Pools are summertime staples, whether you want to swim or sunbathe. However, someone has to do the dirty work and maintain them. If you don’t, the water could quickly become messy and unusable. How can you keep yours pristine without harming the environment?
Here’s what you need to know.
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How to Keep a Pool Clean the Eco-Friendly Way
A sparkling swimming pool needs maintenance without harming the planet. Here are six ways to get the best of both worlds and enjoy more eco-friendly practices.
1. Switching to Saltwater Systems
First, consider changing from chlorine pool systems because of the chemical element’s energy-intensive maintenance. While chlorine is safe, it can negatively impact the environment through biomagnification. Experts say this process increases the chemical accumulation in an organism at higher levels than in food. Instead, your pool should increase its saltwater content.
Saltwater chlorine generators are advantageous because they require minimal maintenance, unlike standard pools with chlorine tabs and inspections. Instead, you only need the minimum amount of this chemical for safety. Another benefit is the reduced chloramines, which may cause swimmers to have strong reactions like stinging in the eyes.
2. Implementing Natural Filtration
Who says you need a human-created system to filter your pool? You can use Earth’s materials by implementing a natural filtration system. This mechanism includes gravel beds, sand and plants to keep the water clean and usable for your family. It mimics how water has cleaned itself for centuries, thus introducing a more eco-friendly strategy.
Natural filtration setups include the traditional swimming pool you’re used to. Then, a regeneration zone acts as a living filter with gravel and plants. From reeds to rushes, the roots absorb nitrogen and phosphates to prevent algae growth and help bacteria. If you want your pool to look like a pond, it’s an aesthetically pleasing trick to create a wonderful ecosystem.
3. Using Sustainable Pool Cleaning Products
Pool cleaning products can harm the water and the surrounding environment if the users aren’t careful. For instance, using an algaecide could spread copper into the soil and harm local waterways. Experts say high copper exposure harms thermal performance and limits the ground’s survival chances. Instead, use sustainable pool products with a track record of limiting harm.
Green options for your swimming pool include enzyme-based cleaners that speed up chemical reactions in the water. These products are similar to your stomach breaking down food, considering how they break down contaminants into smaller pieces. Therefore, your filter has an easier time eliminating substances from the pool. From sunscreen grease to organic matter, it can clean the area.
4. Leveraging New Technologies
Cleaning your pool in a more eco-friendly way means taking advantage of new technologies, as any experienced pool cleaner in San Francisco Bay Area would tell you. Electronics and automation help you be more efficient and environmentally conscious when you do your chores. For example, robotic pool cleaners can do the job independently without human intervention. Using solar power can elevate their eco-friendly actions.
These devices combine convenience and eco-consciousness by being easy to use and reducing energy consumption. A robotic pool cleaner means you’ll need fewer acid washes, which can wear out your infrastructure and increase chemical usage. Other useful technologies include Energy Star pumps, which prolong filtering systems and save money over their lifetimes.
5. Deploying UV Sanitation
Sometimes, you need to unleash the sun’s power to get eco-friendly cleaning solutions. The sun provides the Earth with ultraviolet (UV) rays, which warm the surface and cause your pool water to glisten. While the hot weather is bothersome, the intense sunlight cleans your pool by killing harmful bacteria and viruses.
UV sanitation is better for the environment because it uses fewer chemicals and implements natural solutions. Chlorine, bromine and algaecide can produce carcinogens in their byproducts, which negatively affect you and the surrounding environment. Instead, sunlight provides a low-maintenance solution compatible with most existing pools if they have electrical outlet access.
6. Optimizing Water Conservation
Pools require a lot of water — about 600 gallons weekly for the average household structure. Therefore, better water conservation tactics are necessary to reduce waste and keep the pool clean. Reducing water consumption connects to cleanliness by less frequently refilling your pool and disrupting the pH balance, which should be 7.0-7.6 for a healthy pool.
Among the best conservation strategies is covering a pool when it’s not used. This device covers the in-ground area, limits evaporation and keeps pesky leaves away from the water. If your pool isn’t filthy, consider cleaning only the contaminated spots instead of refilling it. Check each section for leaks, as they can disrupt chemistry and your cleaning schedule.
Why Green Tactics Are Vital for Pool Cleaning
The ultimate goal is to clean the water while limiting your carbon footprint. After all, eco-friendly strategies aren’t just trends — they’re the responsible choice for pool owners. Here’s why it matters for yourself, your family and the environment.
1. Safeguarding Swimmers
Imagine the parties you’ve hosted at your pool, whether the Fourth of July or a birthday celebration. You want the kids and adults to have fun and soak up the sun, and their safety starts with your maintenance tactics. Eco-friendly cleaning protects health by reducing chlorine and algaecide exposure, which can cause long-term health issues.
While chlorine effectively keeps pools clean, it can become a gas and irritate respiratory systems. You may see a child experience nasal irritation, coughing and wheezing. Occasionally, ingesting chloramines can cause diarrhea and break down the skin’s natural oils. Eco-friendly strategies reduce the chlorine content and make the water feel more natural.
2. Protecting the Local Water Supply
The water entering and leaving your pool is likely shared with the municipal supply, so it’s essential to care for it. During backwashing or heavy rain, chlorine and clarifiers can contaminate the water and negatively impact the environment. A nearby garden could endure the ramifications of suboptimal cleaners, so you must be aware of your choices.
Eco-friendly maintenance includes reducing consumption in refilling, which is vital during droughts and heat waves. Southwestern states like California and Arizona rely on the Colorado River for water, but have recently agreed to take less for conservation. Using less water has become integral to complying with local restrictions and helping the planet.
3. Reducing Energy Consumption
Pools can increase water bills during the summer due to increased usage, though some owners forget about the utility costs. Pumps and other equipment draw electricity and can drain your wallet if they’re inefficient. However, green-friendly tactics can reduce energy consumption through solar power and modern appliances.
Experts say swimming pools add about $50 to monthly utility bills, though heat pumps can significantly drive the cost. However, high-end and efficient equipment can reduce the long-term costs by requiring less electricity. Homeowners should only run pumps when needed and cover the water to reduce expenses. Eco-friendly cleaning tactics integrate new technologies to reduce this burden.
Keeping a Pool Clean and Your Carbon Footprint Low
Enjoying a swimming pool and beating the heat are some of the best parts of summer. From Marco Polo to water polo, these activities entertain kids and adults. However, you must consider how you clean and maintain the water year-round. Some strategies are more eco-friendly than others, so incorporate solar and less harmful solutions.