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What are some tips on maintaining a green swimming pool? (E Magazine Q & A)
Fred Durso, Jr.
E the Environmental MagazineTuesday, July 24, 2007
E The Environmental Magazine Q&A
What are some tips on maintaining a "green" swimming pool? —Jim Humphey, North Andover, MA
Evidence on the dangers of chlorine continues to mount, as a recent study shows a possible link of child asthma cases to exposure of chlorine used in indoor pools. However, a chemically dependent, water-hogging swimming pool can easily be turned into something more Earth-friendly. Even the summer Olympic games that were held in Athens used greener alternatives by heating their pools with solar collectors.
Other methods include reducing the need for toxics in the nearly eight million pools across the U.S. According to the National Sanitation Foundation, using substitutes such as ozone and UV light to disinfect your pool can reduce the need for chemicals. The Chlorine-Free Products Association recently endorsed a company developing an ozone-only public pool, which operates without the need of any harmful additives.
Water conservation is also an important step in this greening process. The National Pool and Spa Institute (NPSI) says installing a safety cover can reduce evaporation by 90 percent.
NPSI also suggests purchasing water-saving equipment, reducing the amount of pool water to prevent wasteful splashing, and maintaining your pool often to reduce excess cleaning and backwashing.
Backwashed water may also be used for irrigation purposes, but Jeanette Smith, manager of standards at NPSI, advises checking with local health departments for any disposal restrictions.
—Fred Durso, Jr.
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION: E/The Environmental Magazine Subscription Department: P.O. Box 2047, Marion, OH 43306 U.S.A. (815) 734-1242
Posted by swimming pools on 09/02/2009 at 01:01 PM
How about using a solar pool cover? It guarantees a warmer pool, energy conservation and lower operating costs.
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Posted by ProwPrero on 06/18/2009 at 02:09 PM
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Posted by Best Swimming on 06/13/2009 at 05:15 AM
Nice way to share such a important matter. In reality, we do not care about such a significant problem. we must use earth & human friendly chemicals to clean swimming pool, such chemicals are available in market easily. Second tip of using washed water for irrigation purpose is brilliant. Best swimming pool has importance & significance role for Best Swimming
Posted by Jennifer Bishop on 02/25/2009 at 01:58 PM
There are a number Earth Friendly Chemicals, as well as, technological alternatives that allow you to significantly reduce and/or nearly eliminate the use of more traditional, less “Green” chemicals. You can also implement a number of products that reduce water usage such as covers and the MultiCyclone Pre-Filter. You can reduce energy consumption by means of installing Dual Speed or Variable Speed Pumps, replacing a less efficient older motor with a newer Energy Efficient motor (potentially of less horsepower). You can install more advanced timeclocks such as the TightWatt or further automating your controls with a control system.
There is a lot of additional information available on this topic.
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Posted by Brent on 12/06/2009 at 02:26 PM
UV lighting in the swimming pool is a great alternative to dangerous chemicals like chlorine. I’ve already made plans to have one installed in my pool this spring.