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Is your backyard pool secretly draining the planet?

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gturner74
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(@gturner74)
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Saw this news piece yesterday about how backyard pools are actually a pretty big drain on local water supplies, especially in drought-prone areas. I mean, I knew pools used a lot of water, but didn't realize just how much evaporation and leaks add up over time. Kinda makes me rethink my dream of having one someday, lol. Curious if anyone else saw this or has thoughts about it...

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(@williams30)
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"I mean, I knew pools used a lot of water, but didn't realize just how much evaporation and leaks add up over time."

You're right to reconsider—it's surprising how quickly those losses can accumulate. From my experience, even small leaks can waste hundreds of gallons per month if unnoticed. However, if you're still set on having a pool someday, there are ways to significantly reduce water waste. Installing pool covers greatly minimizes evaporation, and regular inspections for leaks can catch issues early. It's good you're thinking about this now; responsible planning makes a big difference down the line.

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woodworker81
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Yeah, it's pretty eye-opening once you start paying attention. I had a slow leak in my pool last summer—didn't even notice until the water bill jumped noticeably. Ended up being a tiny crack in one of the pipes underground. Fixing it wasn't too bad, but it made me realize how easily water waste can sneak up on you. Definitely worth keeping an eye out and taking preventive measures like covers or regular checks... saves money and feels better environmentally too.

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zwoof62
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Good catch on that leak—small issues like that can really add up over time. I've seen plenty of pools with hidden leaks causing headaches later, so regular checks definitely pay off. Glad it worked out smoothly for you.

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gturner74
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Yeah, leaks are sneaky like that. When I bought my last flip, the pool had a slow leak nobody caught until the water bill came in. Not fun dealing with that surprise. Ended up having to redo some plumbing and patch a crack in the concrete—wasn't cheap, but lesson learned. Honestly, pools can be more hassle than they're worth sometimes, especially if you're in an area where water's scarce or expensive. I've started leaning toward landscaping yards without pools lately; less headache for me and future homeowners seem to appreciate lower maintenance costs too. Plus, with droughts getting worse each year, it just feels like the responsible move. Still, can't deny pools have their appeal on hot days...but I'm definitely more cautious now about whether they're worth it overall.

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