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Test to find out if your pool is leaking

1. Turn off the automatic pool filler if you have one.

2. Place a bucket on the top step of the pool and fill it with water so it is the same level with the pool water, or use a wax marker to mark the level of the water in the pool and the level of the water in the bucket.

3. Wait 24 hours. If the water level in the pool has dropped more than the level in the bucket, you have a leak.

If you have a leak
You can do a little more testing to see if it is the pool structure or the plumbing system.

• Repeat the test with the pump running.

• Repeat the test with the pump off.

If tests reveal that more water was lost with the pump running, the plumbing is probably the cause. For information on pool repair, try searching the web for “pool cleaning and chemistry” or “DIY pool repair.”

How much does my pool lose to evaporation?
Pool evaporation rates can vary due to a variety of reasons such as sunlight intensity, air and water temperature, wind, humidity, and shading. It's estimated that a 400 sq. ft. pool will lose approximately 19,665 gallons of water per year to evaporation. This table shows inches and gallons of water lost to evaporation for each month.

Water saving tips for pools
• Consider using a pool cover to reduce evaporation and help keep your pool cleaner. A cleaner pool needs fewer chemicals and less backwashing. Consider using the new chemical covers that create a microthin film of molecules on the water surface to reduce water loss to evaporation.

• Pools seldom require draining if chemical levels are properly maintained, so consult a professional to make sure it’s necessary. Consider using water restoration systems that eliminate the need to drain the pool. Search the web for “treat calcium without draining pools Phoenix” to learn about local companies.

• If you have to refill your pool, read your water meter before and after filling. The difference between these reads is the gallons used and can be multiplied by current water rates to calculate the cost of water used. Please note that sewer fees are based on your water use in the months of December, January, and February, so if you refill your pool during that time frame, you many want to complete a  wastewater adjustment form pdf/94kb/2pp.

• Reuse pool water when backwashing by applying the water to the landscape. Don’t add new chemicals for up to 72 hours, then use the backwash to water salt-tolerant plants such as oleanders, Bermuda grass, and natal plum.

• Minimize 'splash out' by not overfilling the pool.

• Pool draining
• Swimming pool codes and policies

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