Water care resourcesPool evaporation

How much water Las Vegas pools lose

If you are adding water to your pool more often during the summer, evaporation is one reason to consider. The Southern Nevada Water Authority reports that an average in ground pool loses 48.6 gallons per square foot per year to evaporation. A typical 470 square foot Southern Nevada pool can lose up to 22,842 gallons in a year.

Las Vegas weather makes the summer season especially important to pool owners. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas reports a July average high of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 82 degrees. About 78 days each year reach 100 degrees, and about 47 nights remain at 80 degrees or warmer. Those local climate numbers help explain why water level checks are part of routine pool care.

The impact of wind and monsoon storms

Evaporation is not the only reason a pool can need attention during summer. The National Weather Service notes that the monsoon usually brings storms, strong winds and blowing dust in July and August. After a storm, a pool can have heavy debris that needs more attention than a normal weekly visit.

Kingfisher offers separate monsoon and storm cleanup for heavy debris. The service includes removing debris, clearing baskets and the filter, and rebalancing the water. Regular weekly service already includes emptying the skimmer and pump baskets, but heavier storm cleanup is billed separately when the pool needs it.

How evaporation changes your pool water

Evaporation also matters because replacement water comes from the local supply. The Las Vegas Valley Water District lists valley tap water at 280 parts per million of total hardness, with 75 parts per million of calcium, and describes it as very hard. The minerals come from the Colorado River through Lake Mead. Topping up with hard water raises calcium over time, and hard water leaves calcium scale especially at the tile line, in heaters and on salt cells.

Water level changes are therefore worth tracking along with the regular chemistry readings. Kingfisher tests free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity weekly, and checks calcium hardness and cyanuric acid monthly on weekly service routes.

Reducing evaporation with pool covers

A cover can make a substantial difference to the amount of water lost. The Southern Nevada Water Authority reports that a pool cover cuts evaporation by about 90 percent. That means less replacement water is needed as the pool loses water to evaporation.

If a pool does need to be drained for a service such as a water change, the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority require the water to go into the sanitary sewer, usually through the home’s sewer clean out. It must not be discharged into the street or a storm drain.

How Kingfisher Pool & Spa helps

On Full Care and Full Care Plus, we check the water level during every weekly visit. We test free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity weekly, with calcium hardness and cyanuric acid checked monthly. Routine chemicals are added as the readings call for them.

After every weekly visit, we email a report with the water readings, chemicals added, completed tasks, technician notes, equipment observations and a photo of the pool. That gives the homeowner a record of the water level and chemistry instead of relying only on how the pool looks.