Cycle of water

It seems each time one family swims in my pool I get algae the next day.  Then I battle it awhile and slowly I get rid of it.  They come back and it comes back.  Not that I’d not have them come, mind you, but algae isn’t easy to get rid of once you get it.

My husband and I have discussed this and come up with a couple of thoughts.  First, it’s probably from the floatation devices they bring that are frequently used in the lake.  Second, knowing this should bring an immediate reaction after their departure.  But algae are tenacious.  I wish I had its determination and strength!

I’ve learned that algae can pass right through a sand filter unscathed.  Filtration is just a water ride for these little buddies.  So on the advise of my pool doctor, I’ve learned to waste water them.  It takes consistency and time but the real problem for a conservation minded lady is the whole “waste water” concept.  So my mind again collaborated with my brilliant husband to come up with a plan. 

I have the gardens you know.  The problem is they’re up the hill.  We have an awesome Jacuzzi pump that will tear a garden 10 feet above it down to the subsoil in a matter of seconds.  I placed the hose in the waterfall for a time, but we’re back to the whole wasted water concept in less than a minute.  This is what we came up with.  50 gallon barrels with spigots and 75 feet of waste hose.  Well that slows the water suction on my vacuum system a little, but it’s doable.  Attach a garden hose to the spigot, and voilla recycled water.

Yesterday, I bought the stuff -50 bucks worth- and put it in place.  Then I got in the pool and began vacuuming algae that hasn’t gotten too out of control yet.  Well, with a few glitches, the system worked well.  The peach tree and iris garden got a good soaking and didn’t loose their topsoil.

Because of the dry spell, we’ve had quite a few leaves blow into the pool.  After the vacuum, I used the leaf net and then proceeded with my lap swim.  It was beautiful.  The pool was almost clean, the air warm, the water mildly cool.  Perfect! 

Then after about 4 laps, I felt a cool breeze and the sky darkened from the north – ugly clouds.  Our 40% chance was about to be reality.  I got out and started toward the house when a heavy gust turned me around to see a huge cloud of leaves heading for my clean pool. 

I cried out “Noooooo!” moving toward pool side in useless defense.  It would have made a great movie effect!  With heavy drops announcing the coming storm, the wind died off and I stood beside my algae reduced pool full of leaves and sighed.  Well, now then, isn’t that a new take on the cycle of water?

Last night, we discussed pool covers!