Save the Environment and Your Budget with these Green Pool Tips

SavThis is the time of year of when Mother Nature is providing much sunshine and heat and we all want to cool off.  What better way than in a swimming pool that can be so much fun. Unfortunately conventional swimming pools can cause many health problems and environmental problems. I would like to provide you with some great alternatives solutions for a healthy and green swimming pools that are safe and economical for your family and the environment.

Health Problems from Chlorine Pools

• Chlorine irritates the skin and eye
• Kids who regularly swim in chlorinated pools may have a higher risk to develop respiratory issues like allergies and asthma.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s tempting to think a chlorine-treated pool is safer to swim in than the available alternatives, but that’s not always the case.

The Center for Disease Control reports that properly-treated chlorine pools can still:

• Host the parasite Cryptosporidium for up to 10.6 days. That parasite can cause gastroenteritis, which is made worse when swimmers suffering from diarrhea enter the water.

Investing in eco-friendly and environmentally-friendly swimming pool water treatments can help your health, as well as save you a bundle. Monthly costs to maintain a chemical pool with chlorine can be high, but a natural pool can clean itself, help reduce your footprint on the environment and add aesthetic value to your home. Here are some ideas to get started:

Get a solar cover

Invest in a solar cover to help save water by preventing up to 90 percent of water evaporation, according to InTheSwim Pool Blog. Aside from saving precious natural resources, you’ll also save money by cutting down on the costs of chemicals you need. You may be able to ditch the heat pump and save electricity as the solar cover naturally heats up your pool by harnessing the sun’s rays.

Once your solar cover is in place, check to see how much water you’re losing on a daily basis. A hot day could account for up to 1/4 inch of water evaporation. If you notice more, then you may have a leak and could lose thousands of gallons of water if you do not get it repaired.

Use LED pool lights

There’s no need to eliminate pool lighting as a means to save resources. Good lighting is essential for the safety of homeowners and swimmers. Instead, choose an LED option and save up to 80 percent or more on ongoing costs, according to The HTRC. This can lead to a 50 percent reduction in your overall energy bills. LED lights also have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting, which will save you even more resources and money.

Take an ocean dip

Harness the beauty of the ocean by taking a cool ocean dip right in your backyard. Saltwater pools are gaining traction and are an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pools. Swimmers can relax without the smell and burning sensation of chemicals. However, saltwater pools do use a chlorine generator and bags of table salt to turn the salt into chlorine that vaporizes algae and a host of other bacteria. Once everything is in place and working, your costs may just run $10 a month, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Get innovative with moss

Embrace the green pool movement by using sphagnum moss to naturally clean the water. Some swimmers even report less need to use their inhalers to ease asthma after switching, as this type of moss drastically reduces the need for chlorine. The idea isn’t so unusual. Moss helps keep natural bodies of water like lakes and ponds clean by keeping the growth of microbes at bay. A sphagnum moss swimming pool uses a similar concept by creating a small bog off the pool for the water to slowly filter through. The moss can absorb iron and other heavy metals, which keeps microbes from growing. Pool owners can reduce their need for chlorine by about 50 percent and save money on chemical costs, explains Discovery Communications.

Make this summer healthier for your family and the environment by greening your pool. Any way we make our world greener helps us ensure a healthier future for our children. So enjoy the fun in the sun with a healthier alternative to the conventional toxic chlorine swimming pool.

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About the author

Marla

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Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog! I believe in living green, organically, and natural in every aspect of our lives. My mission is to help educate you on how to live green, help save our environment and to help you and your family live a happier, healthier life!