Collect Rainwater To Top-up Your Pool

Collecting rainwater for a pool is a great way to conserve water — but it needs to be done safely and efficiently. Here’s a practical guide:

1. Choose Your Collection Method

You have a few options depending on your setup:

1. Roof Catchment System

• What it is: You collect rainwater from your roof via gutters and downspouts.
• How:
  1. Install gutter guards to filter out debris.
  2. Add a first-flush diverter to discard the first dirty runoff.
  3. Direct clean runoff into a storage tank or cistern.
  4. Pump or gravity-feed the stored water into your pool.

1. Direct Pool Capture

• What it is: Allowing rain to fall directly into your pool.
• Tip: You can build a simple rain diverter tarp or awning to funnel extra rainwater into the pool — just ensure it’s clean and food-grade safe.

1. Ground Catchment or Rain Garden

• What it is: Collecting water runoff from driveways or yards into a collection system that pumps to the pool.
• Caution: Needs good filtration to prevent dirt and chemical contamination.

2. Filter and Treat the Water

Rainwater can contain:

• Dust, pollen, leaves, bird droppings, etc.
• You’ll need:
  • Sediment filters (e.g. 5–50 micron filters)
  • Carbon filters (optional, for odor and organics)
  • Chlorine or UV sterilization if using for swimming.

When adding to your pool:

• Test pool chemistry (pH, chlorine, alkalinity).
• Adjust as needed — rainwater is typically soft and slightly acidic.

3. Maintenance Tips

• Clean gutters and filters regularly.
• Drain tanks once a year to remove sediment.
• Test your pool water chemistry after each major rain event.