Regulatory » Industrial Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention (IPP)

Draining a Swimming Pool, Spa, or Fountain

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Did you know?How to Drain Swimming Pool

It is illegal to discharge chlorinated water to the storm drain system.

Water in pools, spas, and fountains is treated with a variety of chemicals such as chlorine and other additives. Draining into storm drains can harm our waterways.

Properly maintained pools, spas, and fountains reduce the need to drain

We recommend that you take the following steps to minimize the number of times you have to drain your pools, spas, and fountains.

  • Pay attention to the proper chemical levels.
  • Maintain the water filtration and circulation systems.
  • Manage pH and water hardness. This will reduce copper pipe corrosion that can stain your pool and end up in waterways.
  • Hold down algae buildup through regular chlorine use, which prevents the need for the more toxic algaecides. And ask your pool maintenance service or local pool supply store for help in resolving persistent algae problems without using copper algaecides.

When cleaning your pools, spas, and fountains:

  • Don’t clean a filter in the street, gutter, or storm drain.
  • Rinse cartridge filters onto a dirt area, and shovel filter residue onto the soil.
  • Wash sand and diatomaceous earth filters onto a dirt area and dispose of spent filter materials in the trash.

How to drain to the sewer

If you don’t have a suitable dirt area to drain your pool, the

 Finding your sewer cleanout images

Finding your sewer cleanout
Look on your property for a
small circular cap on a pipe or for a concrete or metal covermarked “Sewer,” “C.O.” or “S.” Cleanouts are often located under them. In either case, remove the cap
and place the hose in the pipe to drain. To prevent backflow, don’t let the end of the hose touch the bottom of the sewer pipe while draining.
guidelines below can help you discharge properly to the sewer.

  1. Control discharge rate. Discharging too quickly and at too high a rate can cause the sewer to back up in your house, your neighbor’s house, or from manholes in the street. Typically, the sewer cleanout and service line to your home can handle the discharge from a 2-inch hose.
  2. Control discharge quality. Maintain the proper chemical balance and filtration in pools and spas. The desirable pH level is 7.4 to 7.6, while the desirable level of free (total) chlorine is 1.0 – 3.0 parts per million. A pool company can help you determine and adjust your pool’s pH and free chlorine levels.
  3. Settle backwash. Provide a settling tank for filter backwash water before discharging to the sewer. And remember: Put your spent diatomaceous earth filter material in the garbage.
  4. Minimize chemical use. Dispose of unwanted or unused hazardous pool chemicals properly and use copper algaecides only when necessary.

Getting EID Involved

EID must approve any discharge equal to or greater than 25,000 gallons per day. To calculate the volume of your pool, visit http://www.backyardcitypools.com/swimmingpools/Pool-Volume-Calculate.htm.

EID must also approve any permanent plumbing connection to the sanitary sewer. Please contact us prior to construction.

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