- - New swimming pool owners and people renovating pools in Victoria will be required to save the amount of water being used in their pools by reducing water use in other areas of their homes in the first water conservation program launched by an industry body in Victoria.

The 'Pool our Resources' program by the Swimming Pool and Spa Association and water retailers, Yarra Valley Water, City West Water and South East Water, spearheaded by Australian swimming champion Nicole Livingstone, will be officially launched today at the Alpine Pool Centre in Burwood.

Mr. Peter Wallace, President of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association, SPASA, said, "The extensive awareness campaign would be spread through the swimming pool industry via pool builders, pool shops and manufacturers of pool equipment as the first stage before level two water restrictions come into force."

"The amount of water used by swimming pool owners in the real sense is continually recycled via the filter with the pool storing water."

Image above right: Peter Wallace, President SPASA

Mr. Wallace said that the pool industry will be urging all pool owners to play their part and conserve water by implementing simple but effective water management plans in their homes and around pools.

These would include
· Regular manual cleaning of the pool decreasing the need for backwash
· Use of pool covers to reduce evaporation
· Put flow restrictors in showers to reduce home water use
· Keep water levels at half way up skimmer boxes, do not overfill
· Introduce a water management plan for their homes and gardens

Commenting on the campaign Nicole Livingstone said, all sectors of the community need to contribute to saving water and pool owners and the swimming pool industry need to make a contribution.

Ms Livingstone added that all existing pool owners will be encouraged to save water with limits on backwashing, pool management and water conservation plans inside and outside the home.

"It is important all existing pools maintain water levels as to empty these pools would create serious structural, health and safety issues."

Image above right Nicole Livingstone O.A.M.

Media Enquiries:
Peter Wallace President SPASA 0418 381 588
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications 0417 329 201

SPASA Pooling our Resources water saving brochure

Calculations on water saving devices

SPASA website