Instead Of Mains Water, Top Up Your Pool With Rainwater

It is expected that water boards may soon be able to impose stricter rules during hosepipe bans. At the moment, these bans only cover irrigation and the washing of private cars, but this may soon also cover, amongst others, topping up pools, hot tubs, ornamental ponds & fountains either with hosepipes or permanent plumbing. This law might not come into force within the next twelve months but it will happen at some point. A drought order banning the topping up could be imposed at any time. However, do not panic. By incurring a relatively small extra investment in a rainwater storage system (when compared to the total cost of installing a pool), pool and hot tub owners can make sure that they will still be able to use their facility just when they most want to.

Topping up in safety.

An average 10 x 5 metre pool which is kept covered would daily lose about 30 litres of water through evaporation. In a two month drought that is @ 2000 litres. This figure could well be much more, bearing in mind continual use of a pool in a long dry spell. A 2700 litre GRAF tank at under £2000 including accessories would cover this basic shortfall, and any larger tank would give even greater protection for a relatively small additional investment. A digger would be on site to construct a pool, so an underground rainwater system can easily be installed as part of the ground works. Or the tanks can be surface mounted. Fitted with suitable filters and siphons, the storage tanks will provide clear enough water for a pool and hot tub. The chemical dosage needed will not be drastically effected by the relatively small amount of rainwater entering the pool.

Reduce mains water use, reduce water bills: it's common sense!

But even without a hosepipe ban, it makes sense to use rainwater instead of drinking quality water to top up water features. In fact, rainwater should and can be used for all outdoor use. Enthusiastic gardeners are able to use rainwater which plants will prefer to mains water. Gardens and vegetable plots can be safeguarded during dry spells in the event of hosepipe bans. Rainwater can be used for outdoor cleaning (eg vehicles and patios). The pressure is on to reduce drinking water consumption. The Code for Sustainable Homes, introduced in April 2007 which sets targets for home construction aims to reduce the present average per day of 150 litres to 80 litres. An obvious way to achieve this is to use rainwater instead of mains water whenever possible. A lot of swimming pool owners are already on meters, and all new homes must have metres. Now, in most southern counties, they are also going to be installed in old homes. If large storage tanks are used where a property has a pool and extensive land, using rainwater in the long term will reduce water costs. A 6500 litre GRAF tank usually costs just over £2700 including filter, pump, siphon and simple mains back up. Larger tank sizes are available.

A worthwhile investment in a sustainable option.

So often when we mention rainwater harvesting, people nod their heads and say, "Ah, that's the way the trend is going: sustainable options". We want people to be ahead of the trend and invest now. Properties with sustainable options such as rainwater harvesting gain in value for resale. It is often said that sustainable options are easier for those who have more money. People who have pools can afford and give value to "green" options, particularly if it will allow them to use their pool when it is boiling hot and there is a hosepipe ban.