Pool Water Delivery: Your Options and Where to Save
Relaxing in your pool starts with making sure it has enough water. Whether you are excited to fill a brand new swimming pool for your family’s first swim, or you have had to drain your pool for repairs, filling or refilling a pool is no small task. The average swimming pool holds thousands of gallons of water, and filling one up can be costly and time-consuming. If you are looking for the best method of filling your pool or the least expensive way to save on pool ownership, this pool water delivery guide is for you.
What To Know About Pool Water Delivery
Pool water delivery has two meanings. While it can certainly mean a water delivery service, that is not the only way to get water to your pool. Pool water delivery also refers to the general method you use to fill your pool. There are actually three primary ways to fill your swimming pool.
- city or county water
- well water
- a water delivery service
Each method of pool water delivery has its own benefits and drawbacks, and there are a variety of other factors to take into consideration when choosing your pool water delivery method. This guide helps you examine various factors and consider different circumstances so that you can make an informed decision before filling your pool.
How Much Water Do You Need for Your Pool?
The amount of water you need to fill your pool dramatically affects the cost, and you may choose a different method if you are only topping off your pool versus filling an empty pool. That is why knowing how much water you need before you start is so important. The volume of your pool is affected by its shape, width, length, and depth. You can use these charts to better understand and calculate your pool’s capacity, which will give you a starting point for choosing a pool water delivery method.
Which Method of Pool Filling is Right for You?
The method you choose to fill your swimming pool will depend on several personal and external factors, including:
- Your budget and/or the cost of water
- Time constraints
- Available water sources
- Municipality restrictions
- Your pool’s volume and whether this is a complete fill or partial refill
Each of these elements should be taken into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of each type of water delivery.
City or County Water
You can use a garden hose and fill your swimming pool the traditional way, but it will probably take you at least a full day, maybe two. Your water bill history may give you some insight into what you can expect to pay, especially if you have filled or topped your pool before. If this is a new pool, you just moved into the home, or you have otherwise never filled this pool, you may have no idea what to expect. The best way to get an estimate of how much it will cost is to call your water utility office. They can inform you of how much you will pay per gallon and may be able to give you the previous homeowner’s water usage.
If your area is under water rationing, you may need to factor in an excess water usage fee. Also, if you are on a sewer system, you may need to consider if there will be an extra sewage fee. Additional charges can all add up and seem expensive, but this method is still usually cheaper than outside water delivery. When calling your water provider, discuss that you are filling your pool and ask if there are any discounts or waivers.
Another option is to call your local fire department and ask if it is possible to fill your swimming pool from a nearby fire hydrant. This is illegal in some municipalities, so not all fire departments can do this, and some simply do not have the time or resources. However, if your fire department does allow it, the cost may vary considerably from one location to another. Some departments may do it for free just to flush the line. Others may charge for the cost of water, but it is faster than filling it with your own water hose. Other departments may charge you a rental fee for the hoses or an access fee. Check out the costs and see if this is a better alternative.
Well Water
If you have a well as your only or primary water source, choosing this method for filling your pool can be very tempting. With no additional per gallon charges, it might seem like a no-brainer. As always, there are a few important things to consider before choosing to use your well.
- Well Capacity – Can your well handle the volume of water necessary to fill your pool? You do not want to run your well dry. The cost and time associated with drilling a new well may not be worth the initial savings on water.
- Water Quality – High sulfur content in your water may cause it to smell like rotten eggs, which will not be pleasant. Well water also tends to be harder than city water due to dissolved minerals, and contains other metals that typically get filtered out in municipal water sources. These metals can make it very difficult to balance your pool water properly.
- Your Pump – Your pump will likely incur a lot of additional strain to fill a pool, especially an empty one. You may need to install a higher-performance pump or repair or replace equipment more frequently than you ordinarily would from simple, everyday household use. You will also be looking at a higher electricity bill when filling your pool this way, so you will need to weigh the cost differences.
Water Delivery Service
A pool water delivery service does exactly as the name implies. There are many companies that will deliver pool water straight to your home. They transport the water in a large tank and use a high-capacity hose to fill your pool. Water delivery is a good option if you live in an area with water restrictions or rationing.
There are other benefits to using a pool delivery service, too. Some companies offer pre-chlorinated water, which can help when it is time to balance the chemicals in your swimming pool. Professionally filling your pool is almost always the quickest method, as they can usually finish the task in a few hours. The biggest drawback will be that pool water delivery is the most expensive method of filling your pool.
You can call around and check with different companies to get multiple quotes. Pool water delivery services are usually charged by the tank, so fees will depend significantly on the size of your pool.
How Often Do You Need to Refill a Pool?
As a general rule, you should completely drain and thoroughly clean your pool every two or three years before refilling it. Of course, other issues may arise that could require you to drain your swimming pool at different times. For example, severe water quality issues may require draining and cleaning your pool and starting fresh. In addition, damaged pool liners or other problems may require you to drain the pool for repairs.
You may notice lower water levels due to evaporation, splashing, backwashing, less rain, or other factors. As a result, top-offs are usually required regularly throughout the summer. These small refills allow you to raise the pool water level, which helps your pool equipment run efficiently. However, if you are making an extra effort to conserve pool water yet find yourself topping off your water levels more often, you may have a leak that needs addressing.
After You Fill Your Pool, Keep It Clean With the Right Products
Once you determine the best pool water delivery method and fill your pool, ProTuff is here to help you take care of your pool all year round. Balancing chemicals and cleaning your pool water is essential. We are dedicated to helping pool owners create clean, safe, and relaxing pool environments. We believe pool ownership should be straightforward, and your maintenance tasks should be as easy and quick as possible. That is why we make cleaning your swimming pool considerably more manageable with our regular guides and maintenance tips. From our pool maintenance guide to discussing how you can use household products to clean the pool, we offer interesting and knowledgeable advice for different types of pools.
ProTuff also produces the highest-quality, most durable pool rake and accessories to simplify everyday cleaning. We are serious about providing only the best, which is why we offer a lifetime guarantee on our products. For more information about ProTuff products or maintaining your pool, contact us today. One of our friendly staff members will be ready to discuss your specific situation and help you enjoy your swimming pool today!
Disclaimer: Pool ownership and maintenance is very complicated, and we know every situation is unique. While we’ve done our best to cover the best practices here, we encourage you to reach out to ProTuff directly at info@protuffproducts.com with any specific questions you may have.