An apparatus for circulating water in a swimming pool including a strainer that is connected to a swimming pool unfiltered intake with a pump connected to the strainer for pumping water from the strainer to a filter. The filter in turn is connected to a swimming pool filtered return for depositing the filtered water into the swimming pool. The invention includes a valve connected to the pump, strainer and filter for temporarily altering the flow of water from the swimming pool drain to the pump and back through the strainer in a direction that is opposite to the flow of water from the swimming pool drain to a waste drain. A method for cleaning the residue collected by a strainer in a swimming pool water circulation system is also included that also includes altering the flow of water from the swimming pool intake to a pump, in order that the pump may pump water in a direction opposite to the normal flow of water through a strainer to remove particles contained in the strainer. The altered flow of water containing the particles from the strainer is then directed to a waste drain.