Guidelines for Proper Swimming Pool, Spa and Fountain Drainage Best Management Practices for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Remember, Only Rain Down the Storm Drain Be the Solution to Stormwater Pollution! What is Stormwater? Stormwater is rainfall or snowmelt that travels across the land surface and discharges to water bodies or groundwater either directly or through a collection or conveyance system. This surface runoff can also be caused by man-made sources like discharges from pumping or from over irrigation. As stormwater flows across impervious surfaces, like driveways, parking lots or streets, it picks up and transports pollutants such as oil, sediment, and heavy metals carries them to our groundwater, rivers and creeks. Water from pools, hot tubs and fountains is not considered stormwater and should not be discharged directly to storm drains. Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP’s) – What are these? BMP’s are practices and procedures that help prevent pollutants such as chlorine, metals and sediment from entering the storm drainage system and protect the waters of our State. By following the BMP’s for draining pools, spas or fountains outlines in this brochure, you will help keep our water bodies and groundwater clean and comply with Local, State and Federal regulations. Regional Stormwater Group of Yakima County Draining Pools, Hot Tubs or Fountains: 1) Before draining, shut off the chlorination system or do not add any chlorine for at least 3 days to allow the chlorine to dissipate. The pH of the water should be between 6 and 8. 2) Drain water onto a landscaped area on your property so that it does not cause flooding on adjacent property, or it does not create a problem with erosion that creates runoff into a ditch, creek, or storm drain. 3) Do not drain if there has been a recent application of fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide to the area. Filter Maintenance: 1) Never discharge filter backwash into the street, paved driveway or storm drains. 2) Never rinse or clean pool filters or strainers into the street, paved driveway or storm drains. 3) Filters and strainers should be rinsed out in a sink, bathtub or over a lawn or other vegetated area. Filters can also be rinsed out in a container, like a bucket. Allow the waste to settle out and dispose of the residue by bagging and placing in the trash. General Maintenance: 1) Clean your pool or hot tub regularly and maintain proper chlorine levels, filtration and circulation. 2) Avoid using copper-based algaecides by using chlorine or other alternatives to bromine or copperbased chemicals. 3) Dispose of unwanted pool chemicals properly at the Solid Waste transfer stations. 4) Store all chemicals indoors in a safe, dry location. Contact Us Yakima County Public Services Water Resources Division 128 N. 2nd St. Fourth Floor Courthouse Yakima, WA 98901 Phone: (509) 574-2300 Fax: (509) 574-2301 Web: http:// www.yakimacounty.us/ To Properly Drain or Backwash Your Pool or Hot Tub, You Have 2 Options This is Not an Option! OPTION 1 – YOUR YARD OPTION 2 – THE SANITARY SEWER Drain dechlorinated water from your pool or spa to the lawn or landscaped area of your yard where it can percolate into the ground. Only do this when you know the water will not cause flooding or erosion to an adjacent property. Verify the water is dechlorinated by using a pool testing kit. You can dechlorinate naturally by allowing the pool water to sit in the sun for 5 days or more without adding any more chlorine. The pH of the water should be between 6 and 8. Remember saltwater or saline pool water will have higher concentrations of salts that may damage your plants or soil in your yard. Use cation when draining directly onto trees or landscaped area and consult a pool professional or pool supply store for more advice on the use of pool chemicals. Move your drain hose frequently to avoid creating a stagnant, standing water area in your yard that can attract mosquitoes or flow onto your neighbor’s property. If your home is connected to the local sanitary sewer system, you can drain or backwash your pool into your home’s sanitary sewer cleanout once the pool water has been dechlorinated. Most in-ground pools have a drain line already connected to the sanitary sewer. If not, follow these simple steps : 1) Contact your local sewer authority or city/county jurisdiction to verify that you can drain to the sewer. 2) Make sure that your pool water is dechlorinated and the pH is between 6 and 8. Locate your sanitary sewer cleanout on your property or an indoor drain such as a sink or bathtub. Using a hose, connect a siphon or sump pump that pumps no more than 12 gallons per minute. 3) Pump the water from the pool or hot tub to the cleanout or indoor drain checking frequently to make sure the drain hose is secure and that no water is backing up in the drain or somewhere else in the house. 4) Do not allow the passage of leaves, sediment, sand, or filter debris during the discharge. 5) Replace all cleanout covers when finished. NOT IN THE STREET OR STORM DRAIN Pool water cannot be drained into the street or the storm drain system. It is illegal to discharge water from your pool, spa, or fountain into the street or storm drain. This includes filter rinse water and backwash. In Yakima County, the storm drains in the street discharge either to a creek, river or directly to the groundwater without any treatment. Pool water drained improperly can do harm to the groundwater and to the streams and rivers. 6) Rinse filter baskets or cartridge filters out into a bucket and allow the waste to settle out before separating the liquid and disposing the leftovers in the garbage. 7) Never clean or rinse filter baskets or cartridge filters in the driveway; do it on the lawn, in a graveled area or in a vegetated area. Be careful how clean your pool filters and screens. The way you maintain your pool or spa can make a big difference in the quality of our groundwater and surface water. Choose less toxic products for your home, garden and pool. If you have questions, contact your local pool maintenance professional or your local Health Department representative.