This is a valid and frequently asked question in Davis, where water conservation is taken seriously. According to the EPA’s WaterSense Pool Water Efficiency report, a well-maintained pool uses less water per square foot over time than irrigated turf. The key is keeping your pool in good shape: using a cover when the pool is not in use significantly reduces evaporation, fixing leaks promptly prevents ongoing water loss, and a properly functioning filtration system reduces the need for backwashing and water changes. We’re committed to water-efficient practices in everything we do — from routine maintenance to leak detection.

Davis sits squarely in the Sacramento Valley, where summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F. At those temperatures, chlorine degrades significantly faster, algae can establish in days if chemistry slips, and evaporation accelerates. Running the pump 8–12 hours daily during summer and testing water chemistry at home every few days — in addition to your weekly professional service — helps stay ahead of problems. Our weekly maintenance plans are calibrated for these conditions.

There are several practical and effective steps. Using a pool cover when the pool is not in use addresses the largest source of water loss — evaporation. Fixing leaks promptly prevents the steady ongoing loss that even small leaks cause. Maintaining proper water chemistry reduces the frequency of needing to partially drain and refill the pool, and upgrading to a high-efficiency filtration system can reduce backwash water use. If you’re concerned about a potential leak, we offer professional leak detection services and an At Home Diagnostics guide for a self-assessment.

This is a common and frustrating problem with several contributing causes. Poor circulation, inadequate brushing, and elevated phosphate levels all play a role. Older pool surfaces are also a significant factor — as plaster ages, it becomes porous, developing microscopic crevices where algae spores (especially black algae) can shelter from the pool’s sanitizing chemicals. Consistent brushing, targeted algaecides, improved circulation, and phosphate management are the first line of response. If the surface itself has aged to the point of being chronically porous, resurfacing is often the lasting solution. Learn more about resurfacing options.

Home test strips and drop kits typically measure pH, free chlorine, and sometimes total alkalinity — a limited snapshot of your pool’s actual chemistry. Professional water testing covers a significantly broader panel: calcium hardness, total dissolved solids, cyanuric acid, phosphates, and other parameters that standard home kits miss entirely. These additional readings have real consequences for water safety, surface integrity, and equipment longevity. At every service visit, we test the full picture and make adjustments accordingly — not just the easy numbers.

Yes. Some homes in Davis — particularly in the older established neighborhoods near campus — have pool equipment that hasn’t been updated in many years. Variable-speed pumps, modern filtration systems, and updated automation can make an older pool significantly more energy-efficient and easier to manage. California now requires variable-speed pumps on most new and replacement pump installations, so an upgrade may also bring your system into code compliance. Learn more about our equipment install and upgrade services.