Do I need to
drain my pool?

The common recommendation in San Diego is to drain and refill every five to ten years, depending on use, rainfall, and how hard the local water runs.

Why it comes up faster here

That schedule arrives sooner than people expect because our tap water averages around 275 ppm calcium hardness. Every time water evaporates, the calcium stays behind, so the pool quietly drifts toward scaling chemistry whether anyone is watching or not.

The alternative

An alternative to draining is reverse osmosis treatment, which removes the dissolved solids while keeping the water itself. It costs more than a fresh fill but uses far less water, which matters in drought years.

One local rule worth knowing

In San Diego, draining to the storm drain is regulated. Water has to be dechlorinated, pH-adjusted, and free of algae before it leaves your property. A good service handles that for you.