Monday, September 14, 2015
City of London
Drain your pool the right way
With summer coming to an end many Londoners will start closing their pools for the season. The City of London would like to remind residents to protect our environment and use proper procedures when draining their pools, spas and hot tubs.
Homeowners must take precautions before draining pools because water entering storm sewers through storm drains and grates on streets is required to be free of chemicals.
Dechlorinating pool water using tablets or by waiting and not adding any chemicals for one to two weeks prior to draining are two common ways to ensure the water being drained is safe to enter into the storm sewers. Salt water pools need to either be discharged into your household sanitary sewer connection or hauled away by a licensed waste hauler.
“Many Londoners are not aware that anything that enters the sewers through grates on the streets is not cleaned or filtered. It goes directly to our creeks, rivers and lakes without being treated,” says Barry Orr, Wastewater Treatment Operations. “Chlorinated pool water and filter backwash materials are pollutants that can negatively impact fish and plants living in our waterways. It is important we keep our water sources clean and chemical free, for our benefit and for the protection of our environment.”
If you have questions or concerns about proper draining of pools, spas and hot tubs please call 519-963-0999.
Watch a video or read the brochure to learn how to drain your pool the right way, and other ways you can help protect our environment.
Learn about the requirements of Waste Discharge By-Law WM16.
Media Contact:
Barry Orr
Wastewater Treatment Operations
City of London
519-963-0999
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