Is It Illegal To Drain Your Pool Into The Street? (Find Out Now!)

Got a swimming pool? Where do you drain it? There are many situations that warrant draining your pool, such as winterization or significant algae, but you should always consider the ecosystem before draining or leveling the water in your pool.

In most states, it is not legal to drain your pool into the street. If you are draining your swimming pool into the street, you could be fined and summoned by local, municipal, or even state authorities. Draining a pool improperly can cause extensive damage to the environment, the community, and your personal property.

Before you drain your pool, here is what you should know:

Essentially, draining your pool in any public street, thoroughfare, storm drain, or gutter system is prohibited. Most local codes, though there are likely some exceptions, indicate that you can be cited for wasting water, punishable by fines. Some regions without a large population of swimming pools may be less clear about the laws surrounding drainage, but you should consult with the office of water authority in these instances to avoid legal repercussions. This information is often found on local municipal websites.

What would be reasons why you would need to drain your pool? After all, isn’t chemical treatment supposed to eliminate the need to continuously drain and refill a swimming pool? The short answer is ‘yes’, but there are a few situations that make draining a pool prudent.

When a pool has extreme algae growth, it is often called a ‘green’ swimming pool. If the algae impedes being able to see about six inches below the water’s surface, you may need to drain the pool to properly clean it. Otherwise, you may be able to shock or chemically-treat the water to remove the algae issue.

The primary causes of algae growth are:

Why is it bad to drain pool water in the street or in public places? Draining pool water that potentially contains chemicals presents a hazard to the environment. The water can harm fish, animals, insects, and aquatic plants. The water from your pool is oxygen-deficient at this point, so it can kill those species that rely on water for life. The damage can be catastrophic to the balance of the ecosystem.

Another problem with draining pools publicly is erosion. The erosion along banks and streams can cause issues for years to come. Draining pools also can result in flooding; you could be unknowingly flooding the homes of your neighbors who live downhill or next door.

Draining your swimming pool in the street, storm drains, around waterways, or on public property is illegal widely. Unless you specifically know the laws of your region and draining pools publicly is permitted, you risk legal repercussions and fines for doing so.

Anytime that you drain a pool, you run the risk of flooding your property, as well as your neighbors’. Pay heed to proper draining techniques and use the sanitary sewer line outside your home to be safe. While it takes a bit longer to drain properly, it ensures you don’t incur fines or costly damage in the process.

If you are going to drain the swimming pool, check the chlorine level first and determine if you might use the water to irrigate and water your landscaping and lawn. Some drought-prone areas, such as Dallas TX, encourage pool owners to use it to water their properties.

Some towns and cities are re-purposing the water from public pools to irrigate and water public green spaces in an effort to conserve resources. In these areas, the water is transferred from the public pools to a truck, which then is used to bring water where it is needed.

It is imperative to check the chlorine and pH levels of your water before you decide to irrigate plants and lawns with it. For the water to be safe to use on landscaping, the pH level should be between 7.0-8.0, and the chlorine level should be under 3ppm.

If you have a saltwater pool, most types of grass and ground cover may tolerate it fine but avoid using on salt-sensitive species, like citrus trees and hibiscus plants.

Related Questions

Why is draining a pool in the street a problem?

Draining a pool into the street can cause a lot of problems, including damage to the environment due to the chemicals and chlorine used in swimming pool water. The water can cause erosion and flooding, which can both be costly issues to address. Furthermore, draining your pool where you are not supposed to can result in hefty fines.

How and where should you drain your pool?

Draining a pool is a process, and you should drain the water directly into your sewer system using the sewer access line for your home and property- if it is not a saltwater pool. In some regions, pool owners are permitted to use their pool water for irrigation but do so carefully to avoid damaging your landscaping. Make sure the chlorine level is below 3ppm before using the water on any plants or foliage.