How much water an above ground pool holds and how much it costs to fill
A family above ground pool holds between 5 and 15 m³ of water, that is, between 5,000 and 15,000 litres. With tap water at around €2 per m³ on average in Spain, filling it usually costs less than €30. Here are the litres, the cost and the filling time for each size, and how to work it out for your case.
How much water does an above ground pool hold?
It depends on the size and the depth. To work it out yourself, one formula is enough:
- Rectangular: length × width × water depth. A 4 × 2 m pool with 1.10 m of water holds 8.8 m³.
- Round: 3.14 × radius × radius × water depth. A pool 4 m across (2 m radius) with 1.20 m of water holds about 15 m³.
Each m³ is 1,000 litres. Bear in mind that a pool is never filled to the brim: you normally leave a few centimetres free, so the real volume is a little below the maximum.
Litres, cost and filling time by model
| Model | Water | Hours with one hose | Cost at €2/m³ | Cost at €4/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azora XS (Ø2 m) | 1.5 m³ | 1.5 h | 3 € | 6 € |
| Azora S (Ø3 m) | 5–8 m³ | 5–8 h | €10–16 | €20–32 |
| Azora M (Ø4 m) | 9–15 m³ | 9–15 h | €18–30 | €36–60 |
| Azora L (Ø5 m) | 15–28 m³ | 15–28 h | €30–56 | €60–112 |
| Azora XL (Ø6 m) | 40 m³ | 40 h | 80 € | 160 € |
| Marea XS (200×200 cm) | 3 m³ | 3 h | 6 € | 12 € |
| Marea S (300×200 cm) | 5 m³ | 5 h | 10 € | 20 € |
| Marea M (400×200 cm) | 9 m³ | 9 h | 18 € | 36 € |
| Marea L (400×300 cm) | 18 m³ | 18 h | 36 € | 72 € |
| Marea XL (500×300 cm) | 22 m³ | 22 h | 44 € | 88 € |
| Marea XXL (600×300 cm) | 27 m³ | 27 h | 54 € | 108 € |
Azora S, M and L come in two heights: the first figure is for the low version and the second for the high one. Volumes are approximate with the pool full.
How much does it cost to fill with tap water?
The average price of household water in Spain is around €2 per m³, including supply and sewerage, according to the AEAS tariff study. In France it is close to €4 per m³. But the average says little: prices vary a lot from one municipality to another, and most tariffs are tiered, so the cubic metres above a certain consumption cost more.
To know your real cost, check your last bill: find the price of the highest tier and multiply it by the m³ of your pool. If you fill it in the same billing period as a high-consumption month, the bill may rise more than the table says.
Before filling, also check whether your local council has restrictions. During droughts, some municipalities limit or ban filling pools with mains water.
How long does it take to fill?
A household garden hose delivers between 15 and 20 litres per minute, so it fills roughly 1 m³ per hour. A 9 m³ Marea M takes about 9 hours and a 40 m³ Azora XL almost two days.
To speed it up, use two hoses from different taps or start at night. But don’t leave it filling unattended for hours: halfway through, check that the floor has settled properly and that the water is rising evenly on all sides.
Is a tanker truck or well water worth it?
A water tanker truck fills the pool in minutes, but it is much more expensive: filling a 10 m³ pool costs around €300, compared with €20–40 with tap water. It only pays off if there are water restrictions, if your supply is very slow or if the pool is very large and you are in a hurry.
A well water is almost free, but it is worth testing first: if it contains iron, manganese or a lot of limescale, it can turn brown or greenish when you add chlorine and stain the PVC. A basic test at a pool shop will tell you whether it needs treating.
How often do you need to change the water?
With a filter pump and chlorine and pH at the right levels, you don’t need to change it during the season. Normally you fill it once at the start of summer and only top up what is lost to evaporation and splashing, a little over half a centimetre a day in midsummer. A cover when you are not using it greatly reduces that loss. We explain the full routine in maintaining a portable pool.
How much does a full pool weigh?
The same as its water: each m³ weighs one tonne. A full Marea M weighs about 9 tonnes and an Azora XL about 40. That is why the ground matters so much. You will find all the details in what to put under an above ground pool.
In summary
A family above ground pool holds between 5 and 15 m³, fills in an afternoon or a night with a hose and costs between €10 and €30 of water in most Spanish municipalities. Fill it once a season, keep the water clean with the filter pump and top up what evaporates. If you are choosing a size, compare all the options in our above ground pools.