I guess Rob wanted advice on how to get his pool filled, not on whether it was morally acceptable to have one or not. Maybe another thread on that dilemma would have been a better idea.
4 Likes
Done.
1 Like
Or perhaps not.
We live in dry and sunny 84 and bought two years ago as full time residents a home with a pool. No gĂŽtes or any business. We donât empty our pool over winter and enjoy for swimming June to October.
Thing is, the entire country is changing weather-wise. Our village is in a large fruit farming region and we can definitely see the results of the lack of water after inadequate rainfall. We have stopped using the RainBird garden watering, even though permitted at night, and the garden now looks quite Moroccan.
We are definitely concerned about prioritising our enjoyment of the property over the needs of others. If climate change really does continue as it is our next move will be pool-less and sooner rather than later. It remains to be seen if the sale value will be better with an existing pool.
Climate change is probably inarguable and permanent. We may all have to make decisions and exercise free will before legislations force us to. Probably best to go with the flow. If there still is one.
2 Likes
Just as well as its a crazy idea, suddenly removing X tons of water and during the wet season when soil expands and freezes and expands some more would almost certainly cause issues, let alone the total waste of treated water.
Eventually people will wake up to the electrical consumption of their pools being 10x higher than it needs to be and how much a cover reduces water loss and therefore chemical usage although I see a larger movement to natural swim pools growing year on year.
Not inappropriate at all. The overt (and valid) reason is not turning up in eg board shorts youâve been wearing around town full of dust sweat etc
And the covert (and equally valid) reason which they wonât say publicly is that it makes being in the pool for gawping and wanking a lot more obvious and therefore reduces it.
1 Like
I would like this, maybe. Our pool system is salt and very soft on the skin. Water is extremely hard in our limestone area and although there is access to well water we donât use it. Iâm not even sure there is any water down there anymore.
What is a natural swim pool? The fountains here quickly grow a sort of green floss that I would rather not swim in. 
ho, ho 
Don be a giverupper, Water is just another problem to be solved. There was never a water supply problem in Dubai, for our pool, our garden or ourselves, I guess the issue there is that they burn enormous energy in desalination plants, so as I mentioned above sustainable desalination would seem to my (totally inexpert) eye the solution. I think Macron is on the right track with progressive usage pricing, if people are willing to pay for their âover useâ of water for their pools, gardens etc. then water companies will invest in producing it. I canât see many in 13, 83 or 06 (and maybe 84) letting their pools go if all it takes is a few more bob a year to keep it.
2 Likes
I know some folks locally who have a natural swimming pool and would liken it to swimming in a fish pond, with all the greenery etc. It just looks very dirty and very uninviting.
1 Like
Total newcomers!
Yes, think the progressive pricing strategy is certainly one way of tackling the issue. Money drives focus for many, so making folks step back and consider their use more closely would certainly deter many from unnecessary wastefulness. In fact I think the progressive pricing could equally apply to other natural resources as well to deter waste. Good idea.
2 Likes
Wouldnât that just add to a two tier world? Rich people splashing about in âŹ250 of water and poor people with âŹ10 in a plastic paddling pool?
When we first came here no-one in this area had a pool as we have a 35km reservoir with managed beaches and lots of facilities. Yes lots of tourist in summer, but also well used by local people and really quite convivial amd pleasant. Unfortunately the rules on parking changed so rather than an area for local people it is a free for all.
So more public swimming areas to me, and share facilities rather than private lnes.
Absolutely, goodwill wonât solve this.
Just another swerve from the original topic but on the main news last night it showed the ImpĂ´ts checking region by region, all properties where pools are seen from the satelite/drones and they are checking to see if they have permission for installation. Just a heads up really and no intention to accuse anyone of having something they shouldnât but the family went to view a house for sale recently with a pool, turned out it had never had a pool installation application submitted for approval and the householder has to admit this to possible buyers or be done for vice cache. To the OP, donât leave the site, we all get a bit upset from time to time and shouldnât take it to heart.
1 Like
Ah, youâre back to the morality issue Jane, which is why I suggested the separate thread. I donât think practical advice (which you are very good at) and opinion stuff mix well together in a thread.
Anyway, in spite of that , I think your statement, for better or for worse, encompasses everything in the capitalist world.
morality or snobbery?
the look at me I have a pool or the look at me I have a pool but donât use it!.
1 Like
I think they go very well together. Decisions based on just on facts of the day can be rather short sighted. Far better to consider things in the round. But then we donât buy so much as a tube of toothpaste without considering whether itâs the best consumer choice. So I accept others donât want to be bothered with these issues and just want to go to a shop an buy toothpaste.
I think the thread has already morphed John. And OP actually got his answers within one or two posts. Surely the issue is not âpool or not poolâ but what are we doing about husbanding water and how are we using our land?
Everywhere round here (Lot et Garonne) there are reservoirs and every year more are being built, which is excellent news. But then the farmers are growing maize for animal feed and throwing all that water around for hours and hours on end. Surely itâs time to look at alternative crops that need much less water?
Some years back we met a tomato grower who went to Israel to learn how to manage better his water usage.
As Iâve said elsewhere, we have an underground water tank and water butts all over the place. I still only catch a fraction of the water that comes pouring over the gutters when we get a full on storm (which frustrates me). We need much better systems for capturing rain water.
There are parts of the world that rarely get rain but have early morning mists. They use water capturing systems often based on vertical netting.
There is so much more we could be doing. There are massive opportunities for new industries (and they will come) so that we manage our water much better.
2 Likes
I have a pool, built not terribly well in the 80s by a dentist and his mate a wine merchant. Itâs a waterair kit pool, in-ground, oval, 12 x 5.5m and it has done good service over the years, my children and friends got a lot of pleasure out of it, it was fine until about 2 years ago, I have decided not to repair renovate fix it any more because Iâm quite sure there are more ecologically ok things I could do if I want to swim. It had a new liner and pump about 18 years ago, but now it needs all sorts of things doing and as the basic structure is all out of true it just isnât worth it.
I still havenât decided what to do with mine after pondering for a few weeks/months! The concrete structure is in good condition, with no problems, but needs lining/re-tiling/rendering and the pump and filter undoubtedly need to be replaced after having sat unused for some time. Iâve had so many different ideas but a little tricky converging on what may be ideal. I donât want to simply fill it in as the structure is absolutely fine, so the quandry continuesâŚâŚâŚ.