A pool in the backyard can be a huge burden in terms of running costs. For this reason, many pool owners consider using the much cheaper well water when it is available. However, since this is water that may contain microorganisms, pollutants and heavy metals, certain points must be observed when using it. With the right instructions, however, this can be done without any problems.
Well water in the pool
Regardless of whether you have already filled or refilled your pool with water from the well, if certain points are not observed, a variety of problems can quickly arise. The reason for this is the numerous impurities that occur in well water and have a significant impact on its quality. Compared to tap water, water from the well is not treated in the same way and for this reason it can contain numerous substances depending on the region:
- iron
- manganese
- nitrate
- ammonium
- calcium
- magnesium
- acid
- heavy metals (rare)
- Pesticides (rare)
- germs (rare)
- bacteria (rare)
Contamination from heavy metals, germs, bacteria or pesticides is not as common but is a bigger problem in rural areas, especially if your well is in close proximity to a farm or livestock facility. The same is true of factories. However, they can still fill your pool with the water as the detergents and chlorine work effectively against them.
Common problems
Problems can quickly arise with well water due to the high concentration of metals, which ruin the fun of bathing in your own garden. You may face the following problems:
1. Discoloration
A typical problem when filling with water from the well is possible discoloration, which can vary in intensity. This is particularly unpleasant in small pools, as the discoloration is noticeable much more quickly in these and does not really invite you to swim.
2. Rust
Rust deposits caused by the metals in the well water do not occur quite as often. As these oxidize, equipment or other metal objects can begin to rust, requiring repairs to keep you enjoying the pool.
3. Limescale deposits
In rare cases, increased limescale deposits can occur if the groundwater in your area is very calcareous. When used in the swimming pool, this is primarily released onto the walls and the floor and settles there, which makes maintenance extremely difficult.
In itself, there is nothing wrong with using water from the well when you want to fill your pool. However, you must reckon with increased expenditure, which will also affect your running costs. The reason for this is, of course, the special agents that you need to treat the pool water so that it does not discolour or lead to rust and limescale deposits. For this reason, it may even be that you end up saving very little by using well water in the pool and classic tap water would turn out to be much more effective.
notice: Well water can be a health hazard when swimming in a pool even if chlorine has not been used beforehand. But this is only the case with children, the elderly, or already weakened or ill persons who do not tolerate even low levels of contamination well.
Check well water
One of the most important points when filling the pool with well water is its verification. This is important because it is the only way you will know whether the use of the well water is worthwhile at all. You will need the following items for the check:
- plastic bucket (white)
- 10 grams of granulated chlorine
- well water
- floor
Nothing more is needed for the check, since this is a color test that leads to an obvious result. Make sure that the bucket is not only white, but completely without a pattern. This makes it much easier to see the resulting hue, which will help you with the verification. A stick made of bamboo is ideal because in most cases less dirt sticks to it, which could negatively affect the test. Alternatively, you can protect your hand with a disposable glove and use it to stir. Once you have all the materials together, you can start the test:
- Thoroughly clean buckets
- dry
- Fill buckets with water from wells
- Add chlorine concentrate
- stir
- use the stick or hand for this
- Waiting time: 60 to 120 minutes
- check water
If there are metals in the fill water, it will have changed color after the waiting time. The discoloration shows exactly which metal is in which concentration and whether it is possible to fill your pool with it. Discoloration due to metal ions is caused by oxidation caused by the chlorine and then dissolved in the water. Different metals create different hues and show exactly how intense they are. The following colors are possible:
- clear: no metal ions
- green: low iron content
- brown: high iron content
- black: manganese
filter system
Iron in water is much more common, but discoloration from manganese cannot be ruled out. Since the coloring is very clear and you are using a white bucket, you can see nuances between the shades much better this way. Here it is important to know that it is only recommended to fill a pool with well water if it has a sand filter system. The reason? Many of the special agents that work against the metal ions in the water are unsuitable for use with filter cartridges. These would only clog up because they work in a similar way to flocculants. However, this is not a product that is specially designed for filter cartridges. If you still use the special agents, the following problems can occur:
- Water becomes more polluted
- Water gets dirty faster
- Cartridges wear out faster
- lime deposits
Since filter systems with cartridges are also often used for smaller pools, the cost savings through the use of well water are only very small. A large pool with a sand filter system, on the other hand, is ideal if you use the right products and use the instructions below to make the well water usable for the pool. It is best to use tap water for small pools. This saves you work and the purchase of special funds, which would also put a strain on your wallet.
notice: If you have not used chlorine granules before, you must first purchase them online, in specialist shops or in hardware stores. On average, between 1.5 and 2 euros are required for 100 grams of chlorine granules, which means that the cost of the test, excluding the plastic bucket, is around 15 to 20 cents.
Fill pool with well water
Filling your pool with water from the well is more complex than with classic tap water. Important for this are the suitable treatment agents, which act against the metals and other impurities in the water. For this reason you need a so-called metal neutralizer from brands such as PoolsBest, HP or Steinbach. This agent is essential because it prevents the metals from binding in the water and thus discoloration and other undesirable problems. They are available for around seven to ten euros per liter. You also need:
- chlorine
- pH meter
With chlorine, you have the choice between granules and tablets, which are particularly easy to use. Now you can start to fill your pool with well water or top up the existing content. The instructions are suitable for both variants.
notice: If you are still in the planning phase of your pool and also want to build the fountain, you must not forget the obligation to report it. Since a well is dug into the ground and taps into the groundwater, it must be reported so that the construction measures and use do not contaminate the groundwater in any way or otherwise negatively affect it.
manual
1. Begin by doing a shock chlorination. This accelerates the oxidation of the metals in the water much more quickly, making it easier to use the neutralizer. Iron and manganese in particular are thus effectively filtered and your pool water remains permanently clear.
2. If you completely refill the swimming pool, you must first clean it thoroughly. Proceed extremely meticulously in order to positively influence the effect of the funds. Even if you only fill up your pool with well water, it is worthwhile to carry out cleaning measures before shock chlorination.
3. Now measure the pH value of the water. The pH helps to get the shock done properly as it needs to be around 7.2. The water should also not be too warm, because chlorination only works at a temperature of 15 °C, which you must take into account.
4. Now add enough chlorine granules or tablets that there are five milligrams of chlorine for every liter of fill water. This amount is perfectly sufficient to cause the metals to oxidize. For this reason, measure the chlorine content again and again in order to be able to adjust it perfectly. Then let your filter system run for a period of about 48 hours. This is especially recommended for the first chlorination. However, if you only fill up your pool with tap water, the value should be around the usual one milligram per liter.
5. Now apply a flocculant and also add the special agent to achieve the desired effect. When using the neutralization, orientate yourself to the manufacturer's information, as the agents vary in their effectiveness.
6. If the water from your well is particularly hard, you can use a hardness stabilizer. These even filter small amounts of metals.
It is important to repeat the process with each refill as the contaminants are carried back into the pool via the well water.
