What are some tips on maintaining a green swimming pool? (E Magazine Q & A)

Fred Durso, Jr.
E the Environmental Magazine
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 25, 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

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