Even in drought conditions more than 6,000 litres of water can be generated for use around the home, by transforming a standard backyard pool into a Water Neutral Pool.
As part of its Water Neutral Pool program launched today, the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Victoria (SPASA) is calling on all pool owners to take three easy steps to make their pool water-wise.
SPASA General Manager, Brendan Watkins, said Water Neutral Pools delivered environmental, economic, and most importantly water savings.
"This is about setting a new standard in responsible pool ownership, Water Neutral Pools utilise both water harvesting and water saving devices to minimise water use," he said.
"A Water Neutral Pool has a water tank to collect rainwater used to top up the pool, a cover to conserve water lost through evaporation and a backwash minimisation system to prevent excessive backwashing.
"Each year a Water Neutral Pool can harvest thousands of litres of water that can be reused around the garden and in the laundry." Well known environmentalist and meteorologist Rob Gell has assessed the Water Neutral Pool program and participated in today's launch.
Mr Watkins said SPASA would work with its members to promote the Water Neutral Pool program to consumers.
"Our members will work with consumers as they build a Water Neutral Pool or retrofit an existing pool to ensure compliance. We all need to work together to take positive steps to conserve water," he said.
"Just as hybrids are gaining popularity in the car market and organics are entering our supermarkets, we want consumers to choose a Water Neutral Pool.
"Householders with a Water Neutral Pool will be supplied with a certificate and a fence plaque allowing them to show their community that they are responsible pool owners."
SPASA members today inspected Victoria's first Water Neutral Pool and heard from Rob Gell about the importance such a program will play in managing water use in a time of climate change.
The launch also saw the owners of a Glen Iris pool - fitted with a water tank, rain cover and backwash minimisation system - acknowledged as the owners of Victoria's first
Water Neutral Pool.
A pdf version of the Media Release can be downloaded here.
