Swimming pools can waste an enormous amount of water, so under High Level water restrictions, pool owners can only top up their pool or spa with town water on allocated days and times if they have a rainwater tank or downpipe diverter AND have installed three of these four measures:

• a swimming pool and/or spa cover
• 3-star water efficient showerheads and taps
• dual flush toilets
• 4-star water efficient washing machines

New pools or spas can only be filled with water sourced from outside South-East Queensland’s drought affected areas. Remember, you will need to show proof of purchase.

Top up only when absolutely necessary to save our precious water!

Tips for water-smart pool owners:

• Buy and use a cover and/or roller on your pool or spa (some council rebates may apply) – this can reduce evaporation by up to 100 litres per day.
• Check pools for leaks –a leaking pool can lose up to 500 litres per day.
• Rainfall will usually replace about half the water lost from evaporation. Use your pool cover to cut evaporation losses and ensure that backwashing is only carried out when necessary and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
• You can use your rainwater tank that is connected to a house via an automatic switching valve, to fill the pool or spa at any time from a connection upstream of the automatic switching valve. Rainwater tanks using a trickle top up system may only be used to top up pools and spas at time specified under High Level water restrictions.
  

More information:

• Fact Sheet: Pools and spas (PDF, 188KB)
• For further information on pools, alternative sources of water and pool maintenance go to The Swimming Pool And Spa Association Inc