Owning a backyard pool is a luxury many Australians aspire to, but it pays to think about mitigating your pool’s environmental impact before you dive in, writes Sarah Pickette.

Australia has the highest per-capita rate of pool ownership in the world, which is quite remarkable given that it's the driest inhabited continent. Each year, across the nation, about 20,000 new pools are built at an average cost of $40,000, according to Spiros Dassakis, CEO of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of NSW. But pool ownership has an environmental cost, too. It takes 40,000-50,000 litres of water to fill a standard household pool, and then there are the ongoing water and power requirements that go into maintaining your own slice of resort-style living.

The good news, says Dassakis, is that Australia also leads the world in developing eco-friendly pool technologies and maintenance practices. "Most pool owners today are interested in doing what they can to conserve both water and electricity. The market has responded with a number of products that can offer greater efficiencies." In fact, it's now possible to backwash a pool (clean out the filter) with as little as 15 litres of water if you have the right equipment, to use solar energy for heating and even to have a 'water-neutral' pool, says Dassakis. "We encourage all pool owners to havea rainwater tank where they can store water to top up their pool."

The simplest way to minimise your pool's environmental impact is to fit a pool cover, which will cut the rate of evaporation and help maintain the water temperature. A shade sail, awning or appropriate plantings around your pool can also help reduce evaporation. To keep a lid on your pool's power consumption, buy the smallest pump that gets the job done (750-1000Wis generally adequate for a home pool). If the filter is quiet enough to runoff-peak, you could save up to $240 a year on your energy bills.

The filtration system that can best deliver clean, healthy water varies from pool to pool, but cartridge filters are generally regarded as the most water-efficient system. According to Energy Australia, you should aim to filter your pool for no more than four to six hours a day in summer and two to four hours a day during winter. "Regular and consistent upkeep of your pool," says Dassakis, "is one of the best ways to ensure it doesn't have too much impact on your power and water usage."