How much water should I expect to lose to evaporation in July?

“In Austin, a quarter-inch of water can vanish into thin air every single day.”

During July and August, we get dozens of calls from worried homeowners thinking their pool has a leak. Most of the time, it’s just the “Austin Thirst”—extreme evaporation caused by high heat and low humidity.

The Numbers:

In a typical Austin summer week, you can expect to lose 1.5 to 2 inches of water to evaporation alone. If you have waterfalls, fountains, or a negative edge, that number can double.

Expert Evaporation Tips:

1. The Bucket Test: If you’re unsure, place a bucket on the top step of the pool and fill it with water to the same level as the pool. Mark the level on both. After 24 hours, if the pool has dropped significantly more than the bucket, you likely have a leak.
2. Run Water Features Sparingly: Waterfalls look great, but they dramatically increase the surface area of the water exposed to the dry Austin air.
3. Wind Protection: Wind is an evaporation accelerator. Natural windbreaks (like the drought-resistant plants we recommend) can help.

Austin Detail: With Stage 2 restrictions, you can only use your auto-fill or hose on certain days. Stay ahead of the evaporation so your pump doesn’t run dry on an “off” day.

Sent from my iPhone while performing a bucket test in Leander.