saltwater pool question

[barfife]

A friend that has a saltwater pool wanted to know, if possible and still be cost effective, can you do anything to convert the pool water to drinkable water? He has no well but does have 34,000 gallons in his pool.

[monkeybird]

Your friend needs to call pool contractor before he does anything or he could have a very expensive repair to pay for. I believe that it would require a different pool pump and the addition of a chlorination system.

[HDM]

A friend that has a saltwater pool wanted to know, if possible and still be cost effective, can you do anything to convert the pool water to drinkable water? He has no well but does have 34,000 gallons in his pool.

Is he talking about in an emergency situation?

[Rmplstlskn]

A desalination system, like used on boats, even lifeboats, could be used... But they are NOT cheap! Depending on the sodium (salt) content, you might be able to use Reverse-Osmosis (RO), but a lot of water would go to waste and membrane life might be reduced.

[barfife]

Is he talking about in an emergency situation?

He is on county water and was trying to figure out what makes more sense economically. My sugestion was to put a well in for long term water source instead of trying to use the pool as a sistern. I suggested to go to clorination also. If it were a clorinated pool, no power to the pool filter would allow alge to grow but you could still filter/boil water for drinking use, etc.

Not sure if there would be a zoning issue on drilling a well in a subdivision.

[Blowmax10]

What about a simple solar still? You wouldn't get a mass amount of water

[Rmplstlskn]

Not sure if there would be a zoning issue on drilling a well in a subdivision.

I would bet there is... Especially since he has county water now, in a subdivision (rules & laws). The only possible loophole is for "irrigation," but zoning may kick it out and reject it as the county water planners do not want people messing with the aquifers and drawdowns statistics... And once they let one pass, then they fear EVERYONE will want to drill one... That is their mentality, I saw it everyday as a Water Operator for municipalities...

[All Talk]

I like the solar still idea. The salt water could be used for flushing toilets, washing dishes, maybe even personal hygiene (phase one grime-cutting), maybe some laundry. A very large black tarp, erected in an emergency on corner posts a few feet above the water level, with a waight/collector in the middle, could actually produce quite a bit of fresh water every (warm) day.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Maybe something along this line?

[barfife]

Maybe something along this line?

the video appeared to have been taken down. Glad you guys are ok.