Colmar Pool: 2,535m³ Water Saved, 0.7-Year ROI

Home 9 Case Studies and Results 9 Colmar Pool: 2,535m³ Water Saved, 0.7-Year ROI
Key results
2,535m³ annual water saving
15% chlorine reduction
0.7 year ROI

Case Study from HydroFLOW France

Swimming pool water saving through fewer backwashes

Swimming pool water saving was needed at an indoor pool in Colmar that backwashed its filters 78 times a year. Each wash sent heated, chlorinated water to drain, so the cost was not just water but the energy and chemicals already spent on it, and operating costs were rising. In October 2014 one HydroFLOW® P160 was fitted upstream of the filtration system, with the pool open. Flocculation improved ahead of the filters and backwash demand fell. The pool saved 2,535 cubic metres of water a year, energy and chemical costs fell with it, and the installation paid for itself in 0.7 years.

The Challenges

  • A swimming pool water saving was needed, with high consumption per backwash
  • Filters were being washed 78 times a year
  • Heated, chlorinated water was lost to drain in every wash
  • Operating costs from water and energy use were rising
  • The operator needed a clear return on any investment

The Solution

  • Unit installed: HydroFLOW® P160
  • Installation point: upstream of the filtration system
  • Installed: October 2014 with the pool open
  • Previous backwash rate: 78 filter washes a year

The P160 went on the pipe ahead of the filters while the pool stayed open. The signal supports better flocculation before filtration, which reduced backwash demand and cut the loss of heated, chlorinated water. The operators tracked backwash frequency week by week, so the swimming pool water saving was built from their own logs rather than an estimate.

Key Outcomes

R

Annual backwash water cut by 2,535m³

R

Heat loss reduced by 41,275 kWh

R

Filter washing used 15% less chlorine

R

Return on investment in 0.7 years

Independent Verification

All results in this study were measured and verified by third-party facilities managers and technical staff.

Summary

The pool saves 2,535 m³ of water a year, and the unit paid for itself in 0.7 years. Backwash water from a heated pool has already been paid for twice, once to heat it and once to treat it. That is why the payback was under a year: the return was calculated across water, heat and chlorine, and energy and chemical costs reduced with the water.

Ready to see more?

Ready to explore sustainable water treatment?

Get in touch to find out how HydroFLOW® can work for you.

© 2026 Hydropath Technology Ltd. All rights reserved