By: Vivek Mishra, M.D. and Technical Head, Premium Pools
In recent years saving environmental resources, have become a primary concern for everyone.
Recently many societies in Gurgaon underwent dry summer spells, and one of the reasons was swimming pools.
A pool that is not properly made and maintained would always be riddled with dirt and would have to be emptied often to be made ready to swim in. Imagine the extent to which this may affect the ground water levels of that area. While we are almost near to a serious water crisis, we continue to ignore our carbon footprints. We seek luxury and comfort but at the cost of environment.
People are promising dream homes with luxurious components, and rebuilding certain structures. But hardly do we understand that costs to maintain them would be a great financial as well as environmental burden.
Can you imagine how much water an Olympic size pool requires? 1 olympic size swimming pool requires approx. 2 lakh ltrs of water, along with a maintenance plant which is equivalent to 1700sqft 3 bedroom flat. Now imagine, every now and then this many litres of water is emptied from your pool and refilled . Can you imagine the kind of dent we are causing to the ground water levels, if things are not taken into consideration. Very soon the society which has such pool, will face sever water crisis.
Sadly, the unregulated market we are in, they still don’t issue licenses to practice making swimming pools as a business. What is happening is, a mere pool equipment maker or a civil contractor claims to do your pool.
They commit to projects without knowing the scope of their undertaking. Initially, the customer is given a certain figure; this is to get their foot in the door by quoting unimaginable low rates. But one can be sure, by the time the pool is up and working, costs would have grown 50 per cent!
The result is, we have more and more such pools being built by inexperienced players that become a threat to the already serious water situation. Such pools are frequently emptied and refilled, disturbing the ground water levels at an alarming rate.
Ideally, a swimming pool should never be emptied.
Did you know that pools are all about water conservation? Correct pools, will not require emptying of water. Hardly people in India know that in a pool with proper filtration and plumbing, the water is changed only a couple of years. Water can be cleared by many new technologies like use of ultra violet rays, proper chlorination,. Infact if you have decent plant with strong filters, plumbing accessories, the water need not be emptied, it will be recycled saving the depleting water levels.
For a fact, your pool is as good as the pool builder you chose. And how do you make sure that your choice of builder is worth the investment? Here are a few points for you to get an idea of the right questions to ask while making a final choice.
· What completed projects can the professional you are considering show you? How do they ensure that thesepools are up to the mark?
· What latest energy- and cost-efficient methods are they equipped with and how well do they keep themselves updated with the latest that is happening in the pool industry abroad?
· Can they get you to speak to their clients? What is the feedback the clients share with you? How often do the clients have to change the water in their pool?
· Do consider the pool builder’s credentials in the pool industry – how are they rated among the peers and vendors
Please don’t go blindly by all these flashy promises of colossal pools , water bodies in your society or backyards. Be an educated customer and citizen. Seek genuine questions to check the credibility of the pool builder. Before buying a flat, we ask n number of questions, so why not before getting our pool done.
All this effort is worth as this is the pool that you are going to live with. These questions will help you navigate the muddy waters of choosing efficient pools. Finally, do remember, a pool is an investment. Make yours pay you dividends of happiness and, not make you shed money and WATER.