How to save water of pools

Petra Bianchi, in her Talking Point Better Management Of Water (April 27) invited “innovative solutions to promote the efficient and sustainable use of fresh water”. I am limiting this submission to the use of fresh water in swimming pools.

I have been designing and constructing swimming pools for the last 53 years. Wherever it has been possible, I have constructed a reservoir 33 per cent larger than the swimming pool itself, either sited underlying the pool or alongside it. The reservoir would be topped up every winter with rainwater directed into it from catchment areas around the pool, and mainly from the roof of the building, where the pool is situated.

The pool is left empty during the winter season, to save on chemicals and cost of filtration, by emptying its water into the reservoir. At the beginning of summer the water in the reservoir is pumped into the pool, leaving in the reservoir that 33 per cent excess of water for topping up the pool, which inevitably loses water through backwashing of the filter and evaporation. At the end of summer, all the pool water is drained into the reservoir, saved for the following summer.

By investing in such a reservoir, a huge saving is made on the ground water resources and on thc cost of obtaining water. While on the one hand, Mepa should request the construction of the reservoir, on the other hand, the Malta Resources Authority should exempt pool owners that have such reservoirs from paying the annual licence lee. Such exemption would be an incentive for pool owners to invest in a reservoir.