Current drought conditions in California have focused attention on water use of all types and we are increasingly aware that everyone should be making smart water choices.  It may seem natural for people to assume that a hot tub is a water waster and that filling of spas should be restricted.  However, studies show that spas are in fact water wise.  Our industry is actively involved in educating the public and our lawmakers with this information so that people can continue to use their spas for relaxation, fun, and hydrotherapy.  Those considering the purchase of a new hot tub should not be discouraged from doing so due to the drought.  Rest assured that the small amount of water used in spas is more than offset by the benefits received.  Properly maintained hot tubs do not need to be refilled frequently, so we do recommend that you monitor your spa water chemistry regularly, bring us a water sample monthly for computerized analysis, and make sure that your spa cover is in good condition to prevent evaporation.  Here are some points to consider, courtesy of Watkins Manufacturing, the maker of Hot Spring® Spas:

Hot Tubs Are Not Part of the Problem

• A standard hot tub holds approximately 400 gallons of water that is reused hundreds of times and can last as long as a year before being replaced.
• The average California household uses 400 gallons of water per day.
• Home water usage can be reduced far more significantly in other ways, such as replacing lawns with drought-tolerate plants and repairing water leaks.
• Hot tub owners save water by using a hot tub instead of taking long showers or baths.
• Reducing showers by just one minute per day can more than offset annual hot tub water usage.
• Hot tubs are sold with insulated covers that reduce evaporation and water waste by 95%
• Drained and cooled hot tub water can be re-used for landscape irrigation; any chemicals break down within 48 hours, making spa water safe for plants.

Hot Tubs Offer Significant Wellness – and Water Saving – Benefits

• Most of us enjoy some form of hot water therapy by spending extra time standing in a hot shower or soaking in a bathtub.
• 95% of hot tub buyers say they use their hot tub for therapeutic purposes, including relief from achy muscles, chronic pain, arthritis, and stress.
• Hot tubbing is a responsible, conservative, and smart use of water to treat chronic pain and soothe the body and mind.