Sydney is known for many things besides its Opera House and Harbour Bridge; one lesser-known drawcard is its ocean pools. These manmade public seawater pools positioned along its surf coast so waves can wash over them are one such draw. Marie-Louise McDermott wrote extensively about ocean pools around Sydney. According to Marie-Louise McDermott’s research on this subject “nowhere else in the world does there exist such an expansive collection of ocean pools”.

Residents living within driving distance of these iconic swim spots can easily access salty water for recreation and peace and quiet from urban living, though this does not apply equally across Australia, with nine out of ten Australians living within 20 minutes’ drive of a swimming facility.

Not all aquatic facilities are created equal in terms of size, quality and location; McDermott notes a disparity in North Sydney between one pool and five in Mosman; similarly outer suburban councils tend to host far more aquatic centers per resident than inner city areas.

These differences arise due to differing requirements among Sydney councils for building codes, mandatory safety features, fencing specifications and structural requirements that can impact on the cost of your pool build. Local terrain and access may also play a part in shaping costs with sloped blocks requiring additional labor or equipment fees and limited access potentially adding extra complications and increasing total build costs.

Quality can have an enormous impact on its price. Many Sydney pool builders specialize in particular levels of quality, which will have an influence over its cost.

Maintenance costs vary significantly based on the type of pool, its caretaking, and any additional features or equipment you might add to it. “Many things can go wrong with pools, so maintenance should be a key priority,” states McDermott. If you purchase one without proper caretaking in mind, issues could arise more quickly than anticipated.

At the forefront of maintaining your swimming pool should be its cleanliness and regular inspection for damages, such as small rips or tears that quickly worsen over time. Repairs need to be addressed promptly in order to save both money and time on repairs that become expensive and time consuming over time. Maintaining regular pool maintenance can reduce the amount of chemicals required, which is both better for the environment and you. To make this easier, there is now a range of eco-friendly products designed to clean and treat pools – these sustainable options will protect your pool while minimising chemical usage as well as cutting household energy bills – you can find these sustainable products online retailers, hardware stores or directly from swimming pool manufacturers.