Bahrain experiences pool craze as summer heats up

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Report by Zahra Ayaz

Summer has arrived in Bahrain, and so has the demand for pools, as residents begin to look for methods to remain cool.

However, this has created a new challenge, particularly for pool-related service companies. Many claim that they are receiving more orders than they can handle.

Expenses have risen as well, affecting the cost of water treatment chemicals. Almost half of all villas are supposedly building swimming pools for their residents.

Splash Pool Contracting director Ajish Tom Thottapilly, acknowledges this expanding pool trend, stating that Bahrainis, in particular, prioritise pools due to their emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

He claims that nearly half of Bahrain's villas now have family pools. Despite this, Thottapilly stated that demand is still high, pinning it on the blazing summer heat.

He predicts that the summer would be uncomfortably hot in the Kingdom this year.

"However, not everyone wants to spend the entire season indoors, air-conditioned," he said.

"Instead, I believe that many people will choose the refreshing alternative of swimming in pools to cool down organically."

He also emphasises the multiple health benefits of swimming.

He went on to say that swimming is a low-impact sport that may efficiently burn calories, with an estimated burn rate of 600 calories per hour.

How to maintain a pool?

Many pool owners are concerned about the upkeep of their pools.

According to Thottapilly, pool maintenance takes meticulous attention, which might vary depending on the pool's usage and individual demands.

"Depending on usage, the pool needs to be cleaned three times a week," he explained.

It is critical to thoroughly brush the pool walls, vacuum the pool floor and meticulously clean the pump and skimmer baskets throughout the cleaning procedure.

Instead of replacing the water in the pool, it is best to assess the water quality regularly and make required modifications by adding chemicals as needed.

This method helps to preserve the pool's balance and quality without the need for frequent water replenishment.

However, experts advise pool owners to replace the water when the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level hits 1400 or higher.

This high TDS level shows that the pool water has collected an excessive amount of dissolved compounds, making it difficult for chemicals to restore equilibrium.

In such instances, water replacement is required to ensure optimal water quality.