Water Conservation Tips for Austin Pool Owners

Water isn’t cheap in Austin, and Stage 2 restrictions are a regular reality. But having a pool doesn’t mean you’re wasting water. In fact, a well-maintained pool uses less water annually than a typical lawn of the same size. Here’s how to minimize your water use.

How Much Water Your Pool Loses

In Central Texas summer heat, a typical residential pool loses:

1-2 inches per week to evaporation (normal)
Up to 3 inches per week during extreme heat with low humidity and wind
That’s 400-800 gallons per week for an average pool

This is normal and unavoidable. But there are ways to reduce it.

Reducing Evaporation

Use a Pool Cover

A liquid solar cover or physical solar blanket can reduce evaporation by 50-70%. Even using a cover just at night makes a significant difference. This is the single most effective thing you can do.

Reduce Water Features When Not in Use

Waterfalls, bubblers, deck jets, and fountains all accelerate evaporation by increasing the water’s surface area exposed to air. Run them when you’re enjoying the pool, turn them off when you’re not.

Plant a Windbreak

Wind dramatically increases evaporation. Strategic landscaping (trees, hedges, or fences) on the prevailing wind side of your pool can reduce water loss by 30% or more. Bonus: it helps with leaf control too.

Keep Water Temperature Reasonable

Warmer water evaporates faster. If you’re heating your pool, every degree above ambient air temperature increases evaporation. Heating to 82°F instead of 86°F saves both water and energy.

Detecting Leaks

If you’re losing more than 2 inches per week, you might have a leak. The bucket test:

Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on the pool steps
Mark the water level inside the bucket and the pool water level on the outside
Wait 24 hours with the pump running normally
Compare: if the pool dropped more than the bucket, you have a leak

Common leak locations:

Light niche — the area around your pool light is a frequent culprit
Skimmer — where the skimmer meets the pool shell
Return fittings — check for moisture around return jets
Underground plumbing — the hardest to find, requires professional detection

During Water Restrictions

When Austin goes to Stage 2 or higher:

Pools can be topped off — residential pools are exempt from most landscape watering restrictions, but check current rules
Use an autofill carefully — make sure it’s not masking a leak
Backwash conservatively — only backwash your filter when pressure indicates it’s needed, not on a schedule
Collect rainwater — Texas allows rainwater harvesting. A 1,000-gallon collection system can significantly offset pool top-offs

The Lawn vs. Pool Comparison

A 15,000-gallon pool might seem like a water hog. But consider:

Pool evaporation: ~25,000 gallons/year in Austin
Typical lawn (same footprint): ~40,000-60,000 gallons/year for irrigation
Pool water doesn’t drain — it recirculates. Lawns consume water permanently

Your pool is actually more water-efficient than the grass it replaced.

Want help checking for leaks or optimizing your pool’s water efficiency? The Pool Police includes water level monitoring as part of every weekly visit. Call (512) 300-4136.