When it’s time to get your swimming pool or spa ready for winter don’t drain the water into the street or through storm drains. Water entering storm drains empties directly into the river and is not treated at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Although pool and spa water may be safe for humans to swim in, the chlorine and other chemicals are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. There are two ways to safely dispose of pool and spa water. Pump it into a sanitary sewer drain outlet, through a floor drain, sink or toilet in your house. Alternatively, drain it into a vegetated area or use it to irrigate hearty plants, to saturate dry ground or to soak down rocked or mulched areas. If you choose to drain your pool or spa onto a landscaped area you must ensure that all water is contained on your property. Regardless of how you dispose of the water, it is important to minimize the amount of chemicals that are in it before you drain your pool or spa. These chemicals may harm your plants and can cause problems with the waste water treatment process. Stop adding chemicals to pools or spas at least one week before draining it, then use a chlorine test kit to ensure there are no detectable levels of chlorine in the water.. And never leave a pool or spa hose unattended while it is draining.
Properly disposing of pool and spa water helps protect the environment and our drinking water supply.
