So… What Is the “Right” Water Level?
The ideal water level is right around halfway up the skimmer opening — that little rectangle built into your pool wall. This allows your skimmer to pull debris off the surface without gulping air.
• Too low and your pump can suck in air — causing noisy operation, reduced circulation, and even permanent damage.
• Too high and the skimmer can’t do its job. Debris just floats by, untouched.
Water level should sit right around the center of the skimmer opening like shown above. (The red line indicates where the water level approximately should be.)
Why Las Vegas Pools Lose Water So Fast
In our desert climate, evaporation is the main culprit — and it’s worse than most homeowners realize. On hot, sunny days, Las Vegas pools can lose up to ½ inch of water per day.
And no, it’s not just the heat — it’s the UV.
UV rays break the surface tension of water, speeding up evaporation. Even on a calm day, if the UV index is high, your pool is quietly losing water by the hour.
You can check the current UV index here via the National Weather Service – Las Vegas. When the index is above 8 (which is often), expect noticeable loss.
What About Auto Water Levelers?
A lot of modern pools have auto-fill valves that top off the water automatically. They’re great… until they’re not.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
• They can mask leaks — you’ll keep refilling without realizing there’s a problem.
• If the float sticks, it could overfill your pool, which affects skimming and water balance.
• They don’t always account for evaporation and splash-out separately — they just add water.
Even if you have an auto-fill, it’s still a good idea to glance at your skimmer level once or twice a week if you don’t have a weekly pool service.
Refill Water and Pool Chemistry
Every time the pool is being topped off, minerals are being added to the pool and changing your water’s chemistry.
Las Vegas has hard water — which means lots of calcium and total dissolved solids (TDS). Over time, this can:
• Increase scale formation on tile and equipment
• Throw off your pH balance
• Make sanitizers less or completely ineffective
It’s not an immediate issue, but over years of regular topping off, your water can slowly shift out of balance. When you get high mineral content in the pool, the most common solution is to drain the pool once your readings go out of normal range. Check out our blog on draining your pool.
Quick Tips for Staying On Top of Water Level without an Auto-Fill
• Check your skimmer water level 1–2 times per week
• During heatwaves, expect up to ½ inch of water loss daily
• Look around your pool pad for signs of excess water or damp soil
• If water is being constantly added or having a hard time keeping chemicals balanced, it may be time to check for leaks. Find more information here.
Need Help or Have Questions?
If you’re ever unsure whether your pool’s water level is right, or you’re topping off more than usual, we’re here to help.
Call Nearby Pool Service and speak with someone who knows Las Vegas pools like the back of their hand.
