Sacramento – Let’s Pool Together, an initiative from the California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA) and the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and Save Our Water, a statewide water conservation campaign created by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), have partnered to promote water smart tips for California pool and spa owners.

“Many people don’t realize that pools and hot tubs use less water than lawns in the warm months,” said Sabeena Hickman, president and CEO of PHTA. “A few simple, practical changes help pool and hot tub owners save water while continuing to enjoy their backyard retreats.”

January, February and March 2022 marked the driest first three months of the year on record in California. With much of the state dealing with severe drought conditions – and circumstances looking grim as we enter our hot, dry season – now is the time to make active changes to save water, starting in our homes and yards.

Let’s Pool Together and Save Our Water are encouraging California pool and hot tub owners to make simple water-saving changes amidst the severe drought. Let’s Pool Together has also created a series of informative PSAs to help spread the word on these simple tips:

• Cover up. A properly maintained hot tub or pool cover is the most effective means of reducing evaporative water loss.
• Maintain your pool and pool filtration systems. Use an automatic pool cleaner to maintain pool water. Proper maintenance of pool water reduces the frequency of backwashing. Replace your aging sand or DE filtering system with a cartridge filter that does not require backwashing and saves water. Correct any leaks or service problems as they occur.
• If it’s clean, don’t drain. Drain hot tubs and pools only when you have a water quality problem. Water only needs to be changed in a spa 2-3 times a year if you maintain your hot tub properly and it incorporates new water cleaning technology. Pools only need to be drained if repairs require it.
• Recycle & Re-use Water. Use captured rainwater to replace water lost to evaporation in spas and pools or to refill a hot tub. When you drain your hot tub, let it sit open for 48-72 hours with no new chemicals added, and then use the water on garden plants.    
• Shut off waterfalls, fountains, and other water features to reduce water loss and evaporation.

“Save Our Water and Let’s Pool Together provide helpful resources to Californian pool and spa owners looking for tips to conserve water this summer,” said Ryan Bailey, Water Use Efficiency Branch Manager with the California Department of Water Resources. “For many Californians, most water waste happens in our yards, making it important that we take steps to conserve in our pools and hot tubs as well, like preventing evaporation, checking for leaks and preventing unnecessary water use and spillage.”

For more information on how Californians can take action today to save water, visit SaveOurWater.com.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

About the California Pool and Spa Association

The California Pool and Spa Association™ (CPSA) has been representing the pool and spa industry for over 40 years by advocating on behalf of their interests before the California Legislature and state and local regulatory agencies. CPSA works with all segments of the California pool and spa industry and partners with other associations to be the central source of information for the industry. CPSA also promotes the highest standards of professional conduct in pool construction, service, and repair and seeks to promote the products and services of its members. For more information, visit www.thecpsa.org.

About Save Our Water

Save Our Water is California’s statewide water conservation program. Started in 2009 by the California Department of Water Resources, Save Our Water’s goal is to make water conservation a daily habit among Californians. The program reaches millions of Californians each year through partnerships with local water agencies and other community-based organizations, social marketing efforts, paid and earned media and event sponsorships. Please visit SaveOurWater.com and follow @saveourwater on Twitter and @SaveOurWaterCA on Facebook.