Swimming, a beloved pastime, and competitive sport, is often celebrated for its mental and physical benefits. However, beneath the surface lies a significant environmental impact, stemming from the extensive use of water, energy, and chemicals, as well as the production and disposal of swimwear. Let’s dive into the facts to learn more about the environmental impact of swimming in our precious pools and how we can make sustainable choices to reduce our environmental impact.

Water Usage

The average pool uses 18,000 gallons of water, which is equivalent to meeting the daily drinking water needs of one person for 98 years - kerplunk! 

When it comes to reducing water usage in your pools, using pool covers can be an effective solution. Pool covers won’t necessarily reduce the amount of water needed to fill your pool, but will instead reduce the amount of water loss up to 95%. The average pool loses about a quarter of an inch of water each day, so finding solutions that can reduce the amount of water necessary to fill your pool from evaporation is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your pool and swimming.

Energy Usage

Although pools are an incredible way to release energy in the summertime, an average pool consumes around 2,000 to 3,000 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of electricity per year. 

APG&E highlights eight steps to help make your pool more energy efficient and save money in the process. One takeaway from this article is to ensure you have the smallest and most energy-efficient pump for your pool. ENERGY STAR-rated pumps are found to decrease your energy consumption by 65%. Small actions like keeping your drains free of debris, converting the lighting to LED or solar, and setting your timer to run shorter cycles of pumping are all ways to decrease the amount of energy used by your pool.

Chemicals

Although chlorine may turn your hair green, it isn’t always the most “green” choice when it comes to the environment. Chlorine, a common chemical used to sanitize swimming pools, and other intense chemicals can have harmful effects on the planet. In very extreme cases, excessive amounts of chlorine in pools can evaporate greenhouse gases. Chlorine can also contribute to biomagnification, a biological process that results in the accumulation of a chemical in an organism at higher levels than is found in its food. In addition to reducing odor, saltwater chlorinates is a great solution that can also keep your pool sanitized.

Now what about our beloved sunscreen? A recent study found that 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter our waterways every year on Earth which tremendously impacts our corals and biological systems. Hawaii, Mexico, Key West, Aruba, US Virgin Islands, and many other communities have gone far enough to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that are known to harm coral. Finding sunscreens that have Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide is your recipe to success to ensure your sunscreen is free of chemicals that could disrupt our environment.

By integrating these practices, we can make significant strides toward reducing swimming’s ecological footprint, to ensure that this wholesome activity remains enjoyable and sustainable for future generations to come.

Clara Buchmann is a Sustainability Intern at Walking Mountains