With all eyes on Rand Water, Gauteng is in the thick of one of the most serious crises the province has seen in decades. A supply failure of this magnitude disrupts lifestyles, industries and the local economy, but the private sector can play a pivotal role in alleviating pressure. In this case, architects and design professionals need to up the ante when it comes to positioning pools as a water-smart resource, according to PowerPlastics Pool Covers.
Given that Johannesburg’s summers can be unforgivingly hot, maintaining swimming pools without exacerbating water consumption presents a challenge for pool owners. Here, architects can play a crucial role in advocating practical solutions.
“Over the years, we have actively engaged with the design and build sector and while there has been some progress in the uptake of pool covers, most of Gauteng’s pools are still uncovered. This has a massive implication on water consumption.
“Architects have a responsibility to guide the homeowner. The property developer may build the pool shell but how that shell or pool is finished is down to the design teams, and that’s where this conversation and education needs to start,” says Roger Bester, managing director of PowerPlastics Pool Covers.
With Level 1 restrictions in place until March 2025, pool owners are facing a difficult summer. Many don’t always see the pool as a water reservoir or backup supply, but one can easily use the covered pool to store household water.
During the Cape Town drought where Day Zero was also a real threat, pool owners immediately covered up and used their pools for bathing, washing and household water. In Gauteng’s summer months with high rainfall, the pool is just another water tank, if covered. A home with a well-managed pool can’t run dry, and it takes only a few small changes to daily life. Every pool needs to be covered and every gutter needs gutter sleeves to feed the pool with free rainwater.
Looking ahead – legislated sustainability
A crisis can be a great catalyst for change. Rand Water’s predicament is, in fact, a good way to highlight the need for environmental legislation in South Africa.
“If you look at the issue of pool safety, public access, and lowering child drowning statistics in domestic pools, there has been excellent progress made through the SABS recommended guidelines. Now, we would like to see the environmental impact of pools addressed through standards similar to SANS 10134. There is a link that must be established between a pool and the water crisis. From there, frameworks for responsible behaviour around water can be established as the new normal,” says Bester.
The water crisis in Johannesburg is a collective challenge that requires innovative solutions from all sectors. By championing water-saving technologies like pool covers and rainwater harvesting, architects can play a pivotal role in mitigating the crisis while fostering a culture of sustainability among homeowners. In doing so, they not only comply with Rand Water’s restrictions but also contribute to a more resilient and water-conscious future for the city.
“Architects are uniquely positioned to influence sustainable living. We are calling for every design meeting to address the pool and its water consumption, no matter how small the pool is. Furthermore, on new builds and renovations, pay more attention to where gutters and downpipes are situated – can a gutter sleeve be fitted, and does it have a clear line to the pool?
“As Johannesburg navigates this critical period, architects can easily promote responsible water usage. Simply put, pool covers save water,” concludes Bester.
