How Do I Safely Drain My Swimming Pool?

Pool water contains chlorine which can be harmful if discharged directly to surface waters.

When draining your pool for winter, be sure to dechlorinate the water before discharging it to a vegetated area.

PROBLEM:

Swimming pools are a major source of chlorine pollution.  Before winter, most pool owners drain their pools to prevent damage from freezing water.  Water drained from pools often ends up in nearby wetlands or in storm drains that deliver the water directly to a lake, stream, and river.  This highly chlorinated water is harmful to fish and wildlife.  Please follow these guidelines to keep our wildlife safe when emptying a swimming pool.

SOLUTION:

Pools should be drained directly into the municipal sanitary sewer system.  Call South Burlington Water Pollution Control to obtain permission prior to discharging to a sanitary sewer line.

South Burlington Water Pollution Control
(802) 658-7964

If you are unable to drain directly into the sanitary sewer system, you must ensure that your water meets the following standards.

• Chlorine levels must be below 1 ppm
• The pH of the water must be between 6.5 and 8.5
• Total suspended solids must be below 60 mg/l

Chlorine levels can be reduced by a few days of sunlight or by chemicals that can be purchased from a pool supply store.  A pool supply store can help you solve any other problems you have with meeting this criteria.