Melbourne's
annual Pool & Spa Expo at the
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, will
for the first time in its fifteen year
history open on Friday with no 'tap
water' being available for new pools
due to Government water restrictions.
SPASA is currently finalising a groundwater
solution and will announce full details
at the Expo.
The
banning of filling pools from the water
system has had little overall impact on
water use. The filling of new pools and
water used by pool owners in Victoria
takes less than point one per cent (0.1%)
of Melbourne's water supply.
General
Manager of SPASA, Mr Brendan Watkins
said, "The banning of filling new swimming
pools from the tap during Stage 3 water
restrictions has seen the swimming pool
and spa industry respond to the emergency
by moving to utilise groundwater".
"Details
of the progress on the groundwater supply
will be released at the opening of the
Swimming Pool & Spa Expo together
with a special water conservation brochure
for all existing pool owners."
SPASA
says the importance of the iconic backyard
swimming pool in Australian society
should not be under rated for both health
and social reasons.
The
backyard pool is where tens of thousands
of children learn to swim and enjoy
healthy activity every day and it is
an important part of Australia's way
of life, Mr Watkins said.
"Despite
the water restrictions we expect a good
attendance at the Expo."
Mr
Watkins said that over the past three
years SPASA has been working on water
conservation programs with the Government
and it is now through its members and
pool shops actively promoting water
conservation to new and existing pool
owners.
It
is important that all pool owners considered
the pool equipment they purchased and
maintained their pools carefully, Mr
Watkins said.
SPASA
Tips on Water Saving
1. When purchasing your pool consider
a cartridge filter which does not need
backwashing and can save thousand of
litres of water a year.
2.
Once the pool is filled a cover can
stop a high amount of evaporation.
3.
Always keep the pool at the correct
level for filtering to avoid having
to empty polluted water and refill.
4.
Constantly check there are no leaks
in the pipe system or pool and if in
doubt call in a professional to check
out the pool and filtration system.
5.
Install a water tank connected to the
guttering to harvest rainwater for topping
up. Check with the local Water Authority
for details on Government rebates.
6.
Install a rainwater diverter on a down
pipe which will divert water to the
pool via a garden hose any time it rains.
Low cost approximately $20.00.
7.
Do not over fill the swimming pool as
this will waste water and hinder proper
filtration.
8.
Ensure people using the pool conserve
water by not engaging in activities
where water is splashed and wasted.
9.
Maintain the correct chemical balance
in the pool to ensure you do not have
to replace water.
10.
Ensure that the pool is kept free of
any dust, leaves or debris which can
cause problems with filtration. Check
the pool after any storms and clear
any debris from the pool.
Conduct
a water audit on your home and replace
any water inefficient showerheads with
Triple A water saving showerheads which
for a family of four can save an estimated
30,000 litres annually - the same amount
it takes to fill an average pool.
Replace
a single flush toilet using 12 litres
of water in a single flush with a smart
flush dual flush toilet that uses only
4.5 litres of water on a full flush
and 3 litres of water for the alternate
flush.
Check
out your water authority's website for
all water restriction rules in relation
to swimming pools and spas or call their
consumer advice lines.
Download
Backyards for Learning,
a joint environmental program between
SPASA and the environmental education
organisation Gould Group which can be
used to promote water conservation to
children available at www.spasavic.com.au
Pool
and Spa Expo Details
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Friday 2 February 2007 1.00pm - 7.00pm
Saturday 3 February 2007 10.00am - 8.00pm
Sunday 4 February 2007 10.00am - 6.00pm
