## For More Information

Storm water pollution : El Dorado County Storm Water Pollution Prevention (530) 621-5927 http://www.edcgov.us/Government/ EMD/HazardousMaterials/Storm_Water_ Pollution_Prevention.aspx
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley
Sanitary sewer discharges : El Dorado Irrigation District (530) 622-4513 www.eid.org
Household hazardous waste disposal : El Dorado County Environmental Management (530) 626-4141 or Call the local household hazardous collection center at (916)933-6692 or go to their website to find out where to dispose of hazardous waste for free. http://www.edcgov.us/HazardousMaterials/

EID’s Industrial Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention Program 2890 Mosquito Road Placerville, CA 95667 Phone: 530-295-6867

Fax: 530-344-5667 www.eid.org 

# Draining a Swimming Pool

El Dorado Irrigation District “Serving people, agriculture, businesses, and the environment in El Dorado County since 1925” Courtesy of El Dorado Irrigation District’s

Industrial Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention Program

To sewage treatment plant Sewer line clean-out

Sewer line

Storm drain ows directly to local
streams Storm drain Finding your sewer cleanout Look on your property for a small circular cap on a pipe or for a concrete or metal cover marked “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.

EID acknowledges the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program for developing and sharing the artwork seen above and some of the content in this brochure. Ver. 12/2010 

### Helpful tips for draining pools, spas, and fountains to avoid harming streams, lakes, and other waterwaysWastes from acid washing or from “shocking” the pool should not be discharged to the sewer until the pH has been neutralized and/or the free chlorine level has been reduced. The pH of discharges to the sewer should range from 6.0 to 9.0. The free chlorine level should be equal to or less than 4.0 parts per million.

If you plaster or grout your pool or spa, don’t discharge waste materials or water used in the work to the storm drain or sewer. 

## Properly maintained pools, spas, and fountains reduce the need to drain Did you know? How to drain to the sewer

What not to discharge 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.
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.

Settle backwash . Provide a settling tankfor filter backwash water before discharging to the sewer. And remember: Put your spent diatomaceous earth filter material in the garbage.

Minimize chemical use . Dispose of unwanted or unused hazardous pool chemicals properly and use copper algaecides only when necessary. The back panel on this brochure list sources of more information about how to properly dispose household hazardous waste. 

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

• P ay attention to the proper chemical levels.

• Maintain the water filtr ation and

circulation systems.

• Manag e pH and water hardness. This will

reduce copper pipe corrosion that can stain your pool and end up in waterways.

• Hold do wn 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:

• Do n’t clean a filter in the street, gutter, or

storm drain.

• Rinse c artridge filters onto a dirt area, and

shovel filter residue onto the soil.

• W ash sand and diatomaceous earth filters onto a dirt area and dispose of spent filter materials in the trash. 

# 1

2

3

4 If you don’t have a suitable dirt area to drain your pool, the guidelines below can help you discharge properly to the sewer. 

### 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, visithttp://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.

“Shocking” your pool with high concentrations of chlorine or other chemicals is a standard method of keeping algae growth in check. But before you drain your pool, you must ensure that the pH is between 6.0 and 9.0 and free (or total) chlorine levels are under 4.0 parts per million (ppm)

. 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.



### It is illegal—as well as a safety **hazard—to discharge your pool water into a manhole.**  

## Remember