Your pool loses water every week through evaporation, backwashing, and splash-out—especially in Sanur's dry season when the sea breeze runs all day. A typical villa pool needs roughly two to five thousand litres topped up each month, but the exact amount depends on size, depth, and how often you swim. Below is a practical walkthrough of where that water comes from, how to get it in, and what to do with your chlorine once the level rises again.
Where Your Top-Up Water Comes From
Most villas in Sanur draw their pool fill from one of three places: PDAM (Perumda Air Minum) mains, a private well, or a rooftop rainwater tank. PDAM tap water is the most common source because it is already treated, though pressure can dip during peak afternoon hours or in the rainy season when demand spikes across the peninsula.
If your villa has a bore well, check the mineral content before filling. Some wells in this area carry higher iron or hardness than others, which can leave a faint orange tint on the tiles over time. A quick test strip will tell you whether the water is safe for regular use.
Older Sanur villas often have a 1,000- to 5,000-litre poly tank on the roof fed by rainwater. That stored water is perfectly fine for topping up the pool, but make sure the tank lid is sealed so debris and insects don't get in.
- PDAM tap: convenient, treated, watch for low-pressure days
- Well water: free and abundant, but test minerals first
- Rooftank / rainwater: great backup, keep the lid closed
Calling a Water Truck for a Big Refill
When you are filling a brand-new pool, replacing all the water after a heavy algae bloom, or making up for a long leak, running the tap for hours is impractical. In that case you call a tanker truck (often called a 'water bow' locally). Trucks in the Sanur area typically carry five to ten thousand litres and can hose directly into your skimmer box.
A few practical tips: check that the lane outside your gate is wide enough for the truck to turn—some of the older lanes off Jl. Danau Tamblingan and around the beach road are tight. Coordinate with neighbours if access is shared, and have someone stand by to guide the driver. Make sure the skimmer basket is clean before they start pouring so you do not clog it with leaves or sand.
- Confirm volume needed before booking (measure level drop × pool surface area)
- Clear the driveway; narrow Sanur lanes can be tricky for large trucks
- Keep the skimmer basket empty during the pour
Send me a quick photo of your pool's skimmer area and current water level on WhatsApp, and I'll tell you exactly how much top-up you need and the easiest way to get it done this week.
Setting Up Auto-Fill So You Stop Thinking About It
The simplest way to keep the level steady is a float valve installed on the return line or at the skimmer inlet. When the water drops below a set point, the float opens and lets PDAM or tank-pump water trickle in until the level recovers. A small solenoid or ballcock valve costs very little and saves you from checking the gauge every morning.
If you are wiring a pump to run automatically, keep all electrical connections well above the splash zone and use a properly rated RCD (residual-current device). Water and electricity near a pool are no joke—if anything smells burnt or sparks, switch the power off at the breaker and call a licensed electrician before touching anything else.
Before relying on auto-fill, make sure there is no hidden leak. Run the pool for 48 hours with the cover on and note the level. If it drops more than a centimetre, chase down the source first; otherwise you will just be paying for water that drains away.
- Float valve + solenoid: cheapest reliable setup
- RCD-protected circuit for any pump automation
- Rule out leaks before automating the fill
Chemistry After You've Added Water
Fresh top-up water dilutes everything already dissolved in your pool—chlorine, stabiliser, alkalinity. Within an hour of finishing the fill, test free chlorine, pH, and total alkalinity with fresh strips or a liquid kit. In Sanur's warm, humid air, free chlorine can drop noticeably within a day, so re-test the next morning as well.
Top up your chlorine dose based on the reading, not on habit. A common mistake is adding a full tablet because 'the level went down,' which overshoots and stings swimmers' eyes. Start small, wait thirty minutes, retest, adjust.
One safety rule I cannot stress enough: never mix different chlorine products (e.g., trichlor tablets with calcium hypochlorite granules) or add acid to a bucket of concentrated chlorine. The reaction can release toxic gas. If you are unsure how much to add after a large refill, stop and call a professional rather than guessing.
- Test FC, pH, TA one hour after filling and again next morning
- Dose chlorine by reading, not by routine
- Never combine different chlorine forms; when in doubt, call for help
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a top-up depends entirely on the volume needed, the source (tap vs. tanker), and whether any plumbing work is involved—say, fitting a float valve or clearing a blocked line. There is no fixed rate I can quote over the phone, because a 3 × 6 m pool and an 8 × 15 m lap pool are very different jobs even if they sit two doors apart on the same street.
The easiest way to get a real number: take a couple of clear photos of your skimmer area, the water level relative to the tile line, and any visible pump or tank setup. Send them through WhatsApp and I will look at what you have, tell you roughly how many litres you need, and give you a straight quote before anyone turns a wrench.
- Price varies with volume, source, and any extra plumbing
- Photos on WhatsApp → quick estimate, no obligation
- No surprise charges; you approve the scope first
Questions
How often should I top up my pool in Sanur?
In the dry season (May–September) expect to add water once every one to two weeks because evaporation and the constant sea breeze accelerate loss. In the rainy months the level holds better, but heavy downpours can actually push the level above the overflow, so check after storms too. A weekly glance at the skimmer window is enough to stay ahead of it.
Can I use well water directly without treatment?
You can, but test it first. Some wells around Sanur carry elevated iron, manganese, or hardness that will stain tiles and cloud the water within a few days. If the strip shows anything unusual, run the fill through a simple sediment filter or let it sit in an open tank for 24 hours before adding it to the pool. When in doubt, ask me to take a sample and read it for you.
My pool level drops faster than normal—what could be wrong?
The usual suspects are a hairline crack in the shell, a leaking return fitting under the deck, or a faulty drain valve. Run the pool with the cover on for 48 hours and mark the water line with tape. If the drop exceeds about a centimetre, shut off the pump and look for wet spots around the plumbing. If you cannot find the source, send me photos of the equipment area and I will walk you through the next checks or come out to trace the leak.
I'll reply with what's needed, a price and when I can come.
