(From the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals)

How to make the most of your pool and/or spa water:

1. Cover up! A properly maintained spa or pool cover is an important safety element and can also reduce evaporation and water waste by 95%. For pools, a safety cover or a solar cover also has the added benefit of helping to heat the pool. A floating cover under the spa cover will prevent additional evaporation and retain heat. For maximum effectiveness, replace spa covers every three years.
2. Be vigilant. Correct any leaks or service problems as they occur. Don’t waste water by letting it leak away.
3. Maintain your spa. Proper spa maintenance will greatly increase the time between draining and refilling. Cleaning filters regularly according to manufacturer’s directions will extend spa cleanliness.
4. Maintain your pool and pool filtration systems.
   • Use an automatic pool cleaner to maintain pool water. Some pool cleaners do not send debris through the filtration system, helping to reduce the need to backwash.
   • Proper maintenance of pool water reduces the frequency of backwashing. Replace your aging sand or DE filtering system with a cartridge filter that does not require backwashing and saves water.
5. Additional maintenance tips for both pools and spas:
   • Remove debris that blows in from trees and landscaping. Low-tech tools are available from your retailer to make it easier to keep water clean.
   • Rinse bathing suits out with clear water rather than washing with soap. Soap powder residue is a major contributor to poor water quality
6. If it’s clean, don’t drain! Drain spas and pools only when you have a water quality problem. Water only needs to be changed in a spa 2-3 times a year if you maintain your spa properly and it incorporates new water cleaning technology. Pools only need to be drained if repairs require it.
7. Re-use. When you do drain your spa, let it sit open for 48-72 hours with no new chemicals added, and then use the water on garden plants. Or, ask your retailer about products that neutralize chemicals. To prevent unsupervised use, remember to make sure that proper safety barriers are in place any time that the spa safety cover is removed.
8. Recycle! Use captured rainwater to replace water lost to evaporation in spas and pools or to refill a spa.
9. Upgrade. Spas manufactured in the last five years have new technology cleaning systems that keep the water clean much longer -- up to six months without refilling. This new technology is also available for some older models. Your spa dealer can advise you whether you can add this technology to your spa.