By Michael Bloch

By green, I don’t mean the color of the water in your swimming pool :). I’m referring to lessening the environmental impact.

I can’t say I’m a big fan of swimming pools. They seem like a lot of work, are expensive to install and maintain, take up a lot of space and the amount of water and chemicals needed to keep them topped up and clean is mind boggling.

But when I was in the outback a few weeks ago in 100 degree heat, accompanied by dust and flies you wouldn’t believe and staring at a farm dam that had been dry for two years; a pool did somehow seem like a more palatable idea. In fact, a small muddy puddle I came across from a leaking pipe at that time was pretty inviting too :).

If you’re a pool owner, here’s some issues to take into consideration and ideas to help lessen the impact your pool has on the environment – and the one major green step you can take is to use a pool cover.

Evaporation
It’s not just the amount of water that initially is put in a pool that’s a problem, an uncovered pool with dimensions of 18 feet x 36 feet can lose around 7,000 gallons of water a year just through evaporation depending on where you live. To put that into perspective, that’s enough drinking water to sustain a human for 29 years.

A pool cover/blanket can reduce evaporation by a massive 90 – 95% and they are quite inexpensive to buy. While most pool blankets are made from plastics; it’s a case of the lesser of the two evils.

Leaks
I’ve read that up to 1 in 5 inground swimming pools leak. A small leak in a pool cause the loss of 700 gallons of water per day. If your pool is losing over a quarter inch of water every 24 hours (or half an inch in particularly hot, dry regions), it’s a good indication you may have a leak.

By addressing leaks and evaporation, you’ll not only save precious potable water, you’ll likely save a ton of cash as well.

Chemicals
Chlorine can be nasty stuff and a recent study drew a possible link between chlorinated pools and asthma in children. Draining pools and discharging backwash can cause problems to waterways if it isn’t done correctly. If you do need to use chlorine in your pool and find the occasion to drain it; avoid adding chlorine for a full week before emptying the pool. Again, a pool cover/blanket can reduce chemical use by up to 50%. Evaporative pool chemicals contribute to the production of greenhouse gases; so you’ll be doing good there as well in chemical reduction.

Some alternatives to chlorine include copper ionization and oxygen systems, ultraviolet (UV) sanitization systems or possibly salt, although I believe with the latter, other chemicals also need to be added.

Energy/Heating
If you heat your pool you’re in for a nasty shock when it comes time to pay your utility bill; not to mention the impact the energy consumption has on the environment if your electricity comes from a coal-fired power station. Building on the pool blanket idea, you can buy bubble covers that are basically a solar energy collector, increasing your pool temperature substantially and helping to lock the heat in. Apparently clear blankets are the best option.

Not being a pool owner, that’s about all I can come up with at this point. If you have green tips for more environmentally friendly pools, I’d welcome your additions – please add your comments below!

Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact .

13 ways to help the environment.

Bike, use public transit, carpool to work, drive slower, keep your tires inflated
One-third of all traffic is commuters. Use alternative transportation when possible. If you must drive, go slower with proper tire inflation. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost
Reusing packaging material saves more energy than recycling. By avoiding extra packaging, you save both energy and landfill space. Yard and kitchen waste (leaves/grass/vegetable scraps) are 30% of trash. Reduce this amount by composting. Also be sure to re-use plastic bags, or better yet… refuse plastic bags when you really don’t need them.

Conserve water
Don’t let faucets run. Never water your lawn at midday. Place a brick in old toilets. Take low flow short showers. Run the dishwasher only when it is full. Let grass grow longer. Plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants.

Quit smoking
Second-hand smoke is a major indoor air pollutant and health hazard. When you quit, both you and your family will lead longer and healthier lives.

Don’t use pesticides/herbicides on your lawn
Along with nitrogen fertilizer runoff, these are major water pollutants.

Keep your cat indoors
Domestic cats kill over one billion small birds and animals every year (1 outdoor cat averages 40 kills per year). They upset natural predator/prey balances and eliminate ground nesting birds.

Eat less meat/eat more local and organic foods
Feedlots are a major source of organic pollution. Tropical forests are cut to raise beef.

Lower your thermostat in the winter. Raise it in the summer
Wearing a sweater in the winter and short sleeves in the summer saves energy and reduces pollution.

Dispose of old paint, chemicals, and oil properly
Don’t put batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil, or chemicals in the trash. Use proper toxics disposal sites. Never buy more than you need.

Consider the environmental costs of major decisions and purchases
When relocating or changing jobs try to live close to work. Compare efficiency when purchasing new cars or appliances. Buy fewer things. Choose products with lower energy inputs.

Volunteer/Lobby for the Environment
Work locally and globally to save natural places, reduce urban sprawl, lower pollution and prevent the destruction of wilderness areas for timber and oil.

Plant a tree with a child
Take a walk in the woods, or plant trees which store CO2. Teaching our children to love and care for the planet is the most important thing we can do to insure the future of humankind.

Wash dishes by hand in a basin, and then use the dish water for outdoor gardens.

I take great pleasure in a clean home, however, like most of us, I do not like cleaning, especially using toxic chemicals and products that damage the environment. I found a great site that features non-toxic ways to clean without chemicals. Visit Mindful Momma for a wealth of ideas, tips and formulas for making your own cleaning products from non-toxic materials that will not harm your family or the environment.

For reliable suppliers of earth friendly home products, shop Nandu Green