Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little adventure of filling up my pool with well water.
My Well Water Pool Filling Project
So, the summer heat was really kicking in, and I was itching to get the pool ready. I’d heard some mixed things about using well water, but I figured, “Hey, I’ve got a well, might as well try it!” First thing I did was grab a water sample. Gotta make sure this stuff is even remotely safe, right?
I sent the sample to a local lab. The waiting game was the worst! Took like a week, but finally, the results came back. They showed high levels of iron and some other minerals. Not super surprising, it’s well water after all. The guy at the lab said it wasn’t dangerous, just might cause some staining or cloudiness if I didn’t treat it right.
Next up, I cleaned out the pool. Swept the bottom, skimmed the surface – you know, the usual pre-season stuff. I also made sure my filter was in good shape, gave it a good backwash and everything.
Then, I had the challenge to figure out how to get the water from the well to the pool. My well’s a bit of a walk from the pool, so a regular garden hose wasn’t gonna cut it. I ended up renting a heavy-duty pump and some longer, thicker hoses from a local equipment rental place. Setting that up was a bit of a workout, I’m not gonna lie.
The filling began! I started pumping the water, keeping a close eye on things. The water looked pretty clear coming out of the hose, which was a good sign. Took a good while, I’d say a full day and a half, to get the pool filled up to the right level.
Once it was full, the real fun (or maybe not-so-fun) part started – balancing the water. My test kit showed the pH was way off, and the alkalinity was low. Plus, I knew that iron was lurking, waiting to turn my pool into a rusty mess. I started by adding some metal * instructions were a little confusing, but I followed the method.
I also had to shock the pool to kill any bacteria that might have hitched a ride in the well water. After the shock, it was time to tackle the pH and alkalinity. I picked up some pH increaser and alkalinity booster from the pool supply store. Slowly but surely, I added them in, testing the water after each addition. It took a couple of days of fiddling, adding a bit here and there, to get everything in the right range.
Finally, after all that work, the water was looking good! Crystal clear, no weird smells, and the test strips were showing all the levels in the ideal zones. I gave the filter another good run, just to be sure. And you know what? It was totally worth it. The water felt great, and it was super satisfying to know I’d filled my pool with my own well water.
If you’re considering it, just be prepared for some work. It’s not as simple as turning on a tap, but it’s definitely doable. Just remember to test, treat, and be patient!
