Covering Pool in So Calif. due to drought

[frazld]

In So. Calif. With Lake Mead water level at lowest level since 1930 and having to fill 23k gallon pool 3 to 6 inches almost every 2 weeks, and I pretty sure we will be seeing massive water restrictions and penalties on the water bill.
How can I maintain the pool water level with costing a small fortune?
Are is it just not worth it. When we had a grass lawn our water bill in the summer was near $600.00.

Update got e mail from water company mandatory water restriction and tiered usage billing.
All h@ll is going to break out in So Calif if we don't get a massive amount or rain this winter. Our water storage is Colorado river and snow pack. Minimal aquifer storage.
Watch out Great Lakes here comes the LADWP

 

[DorsalSpine]

A solar cover would help with the evaporation but the water temp will be a killer.

 

[frazld]

Too much wind. Was thinking about a cover that straps down, can walk on and no drain holes in it. But have curved safety bricks so would need to protect cover from getting holes rubbed in it.

 

[Texas Splash]

That waterline is much lower around LM than when I grew up there in teh 70s-80s. Crazy to see it now. The wind and ambient temps are your biggest enemies for sure. Anything you can do to cut down on either helps. Even with your concerns, I would still research a cover. That could be your biggest ally.

 

[Bperry]

3 inches a week is a lot. Is that normal in that area?

 

[frazld]

3 inches a week is a lot. Is that normal in that area?

Yep winds and temp. did bucket test no pool leaks.

 

[frazld]

Going to cover kidney shaped pool with non porous safety cover.
I have safety coping and I haven't see any pics of covers with this type of coping.
My fear is that the safety coping will rub holes into the cover rather rapidly.
How do I protect the cover from this damage?
And any recomendation for mfg of cover?

 

[ajw22]

What is safety coping?

Post pics of your coping that you think may be a problem.

Non porous safety cover you mean a solid cover, not a mesh cover?

 

[Chuckiechan]

Too much wind. Was thinking about a cover that straps down, can walk on and no drain holes in it. But have curved safety bricks so would need to protect cover from getting holes rubbed in it.

Can you make a temporary windbreak so you can use covers of some sort?

 

[Kathleen2252]

Hi.
I am in Los Angeles.
We only lose about 3/4 inch per week.
But not a lot of wind here.

 

[gx22]

For a 500 sq ft pool about 20k gal, 1 inch deep of water = 312 gallons. So it is worth it to cover it up to save water.

 

[Chuckiechan]

Here. Hold my beer.
Time to think out of the box!
Los angles has a reservoir that is covered in 4” black plastic balls to control evaporation. You can do the same. You could possibly use 5 or 6 net/mesh bags to make handling realistic. The bags would need to be loose packed enough so all the balls would float flat.
Obviously you have to test it to see if it is worth going all in.

California’s cost-effective method to handle water-crisis - Covers reservoir with 96 million plastic balls - Planet Custodian

www.planetcustodian.com