Not only is water expensive, there are often drought regulations against filling your pool, usually during the months when you need your pool the most. Conserving the water in your pool is good for both your wallet and the environment.

1. Remodel or Refurbish

One of the main culprits of water loss in your pool is leaks. Call on a local inground pool expert, especially one like custom pools in Charleston that has been in the business for decades.  They will be able to find and fix leaks as well as give your pool modern upgrades like diving boards, swim jets and colored lights.

Pool experts can also upgrade your filtration system to a cartridge one. This type of filter does not require backwashing like sand filters do. Backwashing can waste over 200 gallons of water each time you clean the filter.

2. Add a Cover

After the water wasting of the pool and filters has been fixed, the next important thing is to get your pool a cover. Not only will a cover stop water evaporation, it will also keep your pool much cleaner. Without the leaves, branches and insects that fall into the pool on a regular basis, the pH balance of your pool will not need adjusting as often and you will spend much less time vacuuming and scooping.

A cover will also stop small animals from falling in and drowning, which is always an unpleasant discovery.

3. Block the Wind

Wind causes a lot of evaporation also. This may never have occurred to you unless you're a meteorologist, but during the summer in the United States, most wind comes from the south or southwest.

For a natural and beautiful windbreak consider planting trees and shrubs. Keep in mind what plants will thrive in your area and do well over the winter. Another thing to consider is that they need to be high enough when planted and close enough to the water that they don't actually increase the amount of air sweeping over it.

4. Repurpose Water For Lawn and Garden

It's a tough job to try and be a good environmentalist and conserve water when you also want a perfect backyard. Your pool needs water and your garden needs water.

Depending on how many people use the pool on a daily basis and how often you need to change the filter, water loss will occur. Also, experts advise totally draining out all of the water in your pool every two to three years. Don't just pump that water down the sewer drain, though. Did you know that you can use pool water on your garden?

What about the chlorine, though? Chlorine is quickly neutralized in sunlight so that will not be a problem. You already paid for this water, so don't use more hose water, use your discarded pool water instead. Some plants may be too delicate to withstand the other chemicals and salts found in pool water so consult a guide to know where to use the water without harm.

5. Limit Splashing

This is a tough one. If primarily adults use your pool, this is probably not how you're losing the majority of your water.

However. if you have a houseful of children and their friends come and join them in the pool, splashing is going to happen. You might even go so far as to say that to children, a pool is not fun without splashes, and lots of them. Asking them not to splash will probably not work, not because they're disobedient, but just because they can't help themselves.

A rule you could make, though, is to splash only in the middle of the pool. That way, most of the water will stay in the pool despite the splashing.

Having an inground pool and a green lawn does not make you a bad environmentalist. There are smart and easy ways to conserve your pool water and also keep your yard looking great.