Efficiency has become a rallying cry in the fight against climate change. But what if we, in our particular field, could go further? This is why the concept of positive pools is gaining traction among the public and residential pool sectors.
In many ways, all pools are positive: They provide refreshment, space for exercise, and relaxation. But what if a pool could not only provide a refreshing escape but also have a positive impact on the environment and society? That’s the magic of positive pools, a revolutionary concept transforming how we perceive and experience swimming pools. Let’s dive deeper into the concept.
What are positive pools?
The advantages of owning a pool—such as promoting health, enhancing well-being, and increasing economic performance—are undeniable. However, the potential impact of pools can extend far beyond these advantages.
Positive pools are an up-and-coming concept that goes beyond simply building a leisure facility; it’s a holistic approach to pool design, manufacturing, and maintenance to develop sustainable pools that reduce water, energy, and chemical consumption, as well as promote social responsibility, safety, and inclusion.
When evaluating whether a pool qualifies as a positive pool, the following two dimensions need to be considered:
1) Environmental:
Water use, energy conservation, and chemical product reduction.
2) Social:
Security, health, and accessibility
To achieve this, a positive pool must be seamlessly integrated with its surroundings, contributing to the overall ecosystem of a home, hotel, sports club, or residential community. This approach includes choosing inclusive, safe, and highly efficient products and solutions and embracing best practices and regulations.
In other words, these pools not only have a lower environmental impact but also make a positive contribution to the overall facility and the entire community.
The main features of positive pools
Let us now look at the main characteristics that make a pool positive through its two main areas of action.
Environmental dimension
Positive pools must demonstrate efficiency and environmental stewardship. This includes reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption.
Establishing ideal efficiency parameters is paramount. Advanced smart technologies, such as Datapool digital twin, provide the perfect tool. By creating a virtual replica of the pool and the overall facility, this tool enables real-time monitoring, parameterization, and control of resources and operations. This holistic approach facilitates data-driven decision-making to achieve operational efficiency and a positive pool.
Fluidra has been developing new technologies to address this need with the positive pool concept in mind. To evaluate the performance of potential pools and measure their environmental impact, we developed the Pool Environmental Performance Efficiency (PEPE) indicator. PEPE assesses land-specific metrics, including the efficiency of water, energy, and chemical use.
Based on P.E.P.E. values, pools can be divided into three categories:
- Efficient: Swimming pool with >50% environmental efficiency in terms of water, energy, and chemical use (PEPE > 50%)
- Zero: A facility with almost zero consumption of water, energy, and chemical use. (PEPE ⋍ 100%)
- Plus: A pool that doesn’t only have zero environmental impact but benefits for the environment. (PEPE > 100%)
Based on these metrics, we can propose solutions to upgrade a standard pool into one that meets the Plus category, thus becoming a positive pool. These include cartridge filters, regenerative filters, nozzle plate sand filters, variable-speed pumps, smart pool monitoring, low-consumption lighting, inverter heat pumps, rainwater harvesting systems to reuse water, thermal pool covers, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), UV disinfection systems, automatic dosing technologies, and many more.
For instance, a rainwater and/or backwashing harvesting system is ideal for compensating for water volume losses and reusing the water for other purposes (irrigation, changing rooms, cleaning, etc.). This initiative not only helps to reduce dependency on conventional water supply but also serves as a proactive measure against water scarcity (these opportunities are subject to local regulations).
Social dimension
Positive pools must consider safety, health, and accessibility, providing a safe and healthy environment for all users.
Complying with the applicable safety standards (for products, installation, and operation) is key to preventing accidents. Important safety measures include architectural elements such as fences, gates, pool safety covers, alarm systems, rescue kits, and safe chemical storage. It is also very important to include learn-to-swim teaching initiatives in community pools. Sanitation measures for a healthy pool include chemical control, water quality monitoring, and proper cleaning before use.
Swimming pools must also be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, abilities, skills, or personal conditions. With that in mind, it is crucial to consider various design standards and products to enhance accessibility and convenience: stairs, automatic pool lifts, handrails, railings, non-slip flooring, seats, benches, shaded areas, etc. Incorporating these elements will create an inclusive pool environment that ensures that every member of the community can safely and comfortably enjoy the pool.
Sustainable equipment for positive pools
The products and solutions used to run a pool play a fundamental role in its degree of environmental sustainability.
Saving water
With water scarcity a growing concern globally, responsible use is crucial, especially in swimming pools. Conservation measures are essential to minimize environmental impact.
Several factors contribute to water consumption in swimming pools, the most significant being:
- Evaporation losses,
- Qater renewals due to sanitation regulations,
- Losses due to filter backwashing,
- Losses due to the use and enjoyment of the pool,
- Water losses due to leaks caused by the poor condition of the pool and/or the hydraulic system.
Effective pool cover use can reduce water loss from evaporation by up to 90%, while opting for a cartridge filter or regenerative media filters can decrease water consumption during backwashing by as much as 70% and 90%, respectively. Cartridge filters work via surface rather than deep filtration, like a sand filter. The filtration quality of the cartridge filter is less dependent on the water speed, and each element of this filter does not require backwashing.
Robotic pool cleaners and pressure washers are useful and convenient devices that clean the pool’s walls and floor by capturing debris in an internal cartridge. This reduces the strain on the pool’s main filter system, lowering the frequency of filter cleaning and promoting better overall water efficiency.
Other tools that contribute to water savings include nozzle plate sand filters with air-assisted backwashing, automated backwashing systems, efficient showers, cyclonic pre-filters, automatic multi-port valves, active glass media, and AOP disinfection systems such as Ozone, UV, and electrolysis.
Energy efficiency
Swimming pools use a considerable amount of energy. Energy consumption depends on several factors, including the size of the pool, the water temperature, the use of heating and filtration systems, and the frequency of use of the pool.
Energy usage in swimming pools is mainly due to:
- Heating the pool water,
- Air conditioning in indoor pools,
- The filtration pump,
- Lighting,
- Heat losses in the pool basin,
- Energy losses due to pipe dimensioning.
To save energy, high-performance filter pumps with variable-speed motors can be adjusted to the pool’s needs, achieving energy savings of over 50%. Additionally, combining a high-efficiency heat pump with the proper use of a thermal blanket can reduce the energy required for water heating by up to 90%.
LED lighting significantly reduces energy consumption. Even the least efficient LED bulbs are five times more efficient than halogen lamps, enabling energy savings of up to 85% compared to traditional halogen lighting.
Proper insulation of the pool basin , particularly for above-ground pools, is critical to minimizing heat loss. Moreover, correctly sized piping ensures minimal energy loss and optimizes the efficiency of the filtration system. These measures contribute to substantial energy savings and enhanced pool performance.
For temperature management, inverter heat pumps can adjust their operation to the pool settings to offer optimal performance and energy savings. These innovations, based on aerothermia, harness the air’s thermal energy to heat the pool. Similarly, installing solar panels powers electric hot and cold pump systems, optimizing energy consumption and reducing environmental impact.
Fewer chemicals
Chemicals are essential to pool maintenance, ensuring swimmer safety, comfort, and regulatory compliance. Reducing the use of these chemicals is beneficial for swimmers’ health and the environment.
The main chemicals used are typically:
- Water disinfection chemicals
- pH regulators
- Other chemicals to maintain water quality
Implementing low-salt electrolysis technologies combined with Redox and pH control systems can eliminate the reliance on chlorinated disinfectants. Additionally, alternative methods like UV radiation, ozone treatment, and disinfectant minerals can reduce the use of chemical disinfectants.
Other solutions involve installing smart automation and dosing systems to precisely regulate chemical use, ensuring only the necessary amount is used. This approach prevents over-chlorination and chemical build-up, making pool maintenance more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The pool cover also helps to reduce the amount of debris accumulating in the water, significantly lowering the need for cleaning chemicals. Adopting good practices, such as routinely cleaning the pool walls and floor to remove algae and sediment, also minimizes chemical usage. The use of showers before entering the pool and avoiding introducing personal care products like lotions or oils further support cleaner water with less reliance on chemicals. However, showers should incorporate elements to reduce water consumption (aerators, etc.), and responsible use should be encouraged, not exceeding the time strictly necessary.
A positive view towards a circular future
Positive pools are more than just environmentally friendly; they actively improve the environment and contribute to a better society. Far from being limited to zero impact, positive pools can go one step further, actively contributing to improving the environment and our society.
Positive pools prioritize sustainable products and solutions throughout their entire lifecycle – from manufacturing and logistics to use and eventual recycling or repurposing. This involves the reduction of emissions associated with the production processes, the reduced consumption of resources (water, energy, and chemicals) during the use phase, and the use of products that are repairable, recyclable, reusable, and/or biodegradable. Alongside safety and accessibility elements, these spaces can offer a safe, enjoyable oasis for the whole community.
This holistic approach considers the entire lifecycle of the facility, from its design, manufacturing, and logistics through the use phase and its decommission. In this regard, positive pools are facilities that promote a circular economy. Thus, positive pools promote an environmentally responsible future. By demonstrating how technological innovations and social responsibility can be applied for the benefit of society, positive pools redefine what it means to have a positive impact on the planet.