Pool professionals are now looking for innovative ways to conserve water due to the ongoing drought in Western States. One solution is to recycle the water from filter cleanings.
Drought puts pools directly in crosshairs with water conservationists
Many parts of the United States have been suffering from drought in recent years. Many states have implemented mandatory water restrictions as a result of the drought that has gripped many parts of the United States in recent years. According to a new study, California has experienced the most severe drought in 22 years. It also recorded the longest period of dry weather in at least 1,200 year.
Recent storms have increased the snowpack in Sierras, which supplies 30% California’s water. Experts disagree that this is enough. These storms may have offered some relief but they are unlikely to have an impact on California’s mega-drought .
Major cities, such as Los Angeles, have so far managed to avoid the need for any restrictions on homeowners filling their swimming pools. This problem is a strong argument for backwash recycling, as it directly impacts water consumption.
Conservation Study Identifies Primary Causes of Water Loss
The California Urban Water Conservation Council conducted a study in 2010. It examined the ways in which water is lost from swimming pools. The primary causes of pool water loss are leaks, splashout, disinfection and filter operation.
This topic was a hot topic at the Pool Industry Expo in Monterrey (CA) last year. This is why products such as Best Clear System are suddenly relevant to the discussion about water conservation. This system will help homeowners conserve thousands of gallons of water, while also keeping their pool filters clean and protecting the environment.
Reusing Backwash Saves Water
Harold Tapley, a veteran in the industry and CEO of Pools, gave us a deeper understanding of what The Best Clear System does.
Tapley stated, “In a nutshell the Best Clear System actually clarifies the water so that you don’t need to dump it on top of the ground and lose”
Why recycle?
“When you discharge, backwashing, or when you clean the cartridge, you are introducing salts to our fresh water supply. Tapley explained that it is going into the ground, draining in the street, and down to the streams and creeks. What happens in Vegas stays there. Because you don’t see the whole picture, what happens in your backyard stays in your backyard. D.E. is the big white stain you see in your gutter. It could be a discharge or someone cleaning out a cartridge in the gutter.
Backwashing can lead to metals. Copper is a common metal that is harmful to algae in pools. However, when it enters the ecosystem it causes a lot more problems.” Tapley said that while most of the discharge is made of sediments of clay and sand, there are some elements in it that is harmful to the environment.
Pool Pros Put On Notice
Tapley says that pool professionals are already being fined. “The Central Valley has hired water patrol officers. The water patrol is out. We need police. Pool service technicians are subject to stiff penalties for wasting water or dumping it in storm drains. Incorrect disposal can also result in huge fines. Tapley said that he met several service men at P.I.E. who told me they were already fined up to $1,000 each for backwashing cartridges on the street.
By the Numbers
Tapley provided an explanation of how much water is required to wash filters every year in order to put the numbers in context. Tapley explained that a typical backwash for a Sand filter is 200-250 gallons. He recommends backwashing them once per week. Tapley also said, “That’s more than 5,000 gallons of freshwater you need to add back into the pool each year to replace it.” Remember that the water level drops and the skimmer begins to grab air. You need to double this. That’s 10,000 gallons per pool.
Tapley explained that when you are cleaning the filter, you will lose the pretreated water. “Then, when you put the fresh water back into the pool, you have to go back to your test kit to adjust the pool. They just add more chlorine to the pool and then top it up again. That being said, I believe that pretreatment water, which we capture and put back in, is a saving. We’re saving salt water if it’s a saltwater pool.
Are you interested in learning more about how to recycle backwash using the Clear System Listen to the entire conversation with Harold Tapley in the Pool Magazine podcast.
The post Drought Causes Pool Pros to Look For Ways To Recycle Backwash originally appeared on PoolMagazine.com. Get the Latest Pool News.
