Draining Your Pool

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Planning to drain your pool? It's as easy as one, two, three!

1. Let it Sit.

Swimming Pool Water in pools, spas, and fountains is treated with additives like chlorine, acid, alkalis, minerals, and other chemicals to make it pH balanced and clean. While they make the water great for relaxing, they can be harmful — even toxic — to plant and aquatic life.

Water drained into rights of way enters the stormwater system and is collected in washes. The water moves through the soil and eventually makes its way into streams, rivers, and natural areas without being treated. Pool, spa, and fountain water that has been treated with chlorine, bromine, copper, and other additives can harm water resources for plants, wildlife, and humans alike.

Let your pool sit for 48 hours or longer without adding any chemicals to allow them to decrease to environmentally-friendly levels. Get a pool test kit and check that the chlorine and bromine
levels measure “0” before pumping
the water out.

2. Get a Permit.

If you’re planning to drain your pool, spa, or fountain into the right of way, you’ll need a Pool/Spa Drain Permit .

Please note: Once obtaining a Pool/Spa Drain Permit, you may drain to the right of way in a paved public street only. Do not drain your pool to a dirt alley or wash.

3. Take it Slow.

Drained Pool Pool that has been emptied. Once your water is neutralized and you have your permit, it’s time to start draining! Be sure to pump the water out slowly to prevent flooding roadways, impeding vehicle and pedestrian traffic, or overwhelming the stormwater system.

Yes, you can drain your pool, spa, or fountain onto your own property if you want to, and no permit is required! This is a great way to supplement your landscape irrigation. The City of Sierra Vista recommends that you bring chlorine and bromine levels to “0” before draining to avoid harming plants.

If you drain your water feature or backwash your filter onto your own property, keep the flow slow to prevent runoff, damage to your own landscape, or seepage onto your neighbor’s property.

Filter backwash cannot be discharged into the right of way and can only be discharged onto your own property. When you backwash, make sure that the water doesn’t overflow into the street, right of way, or neighboring property.

Boy with Snorkle Contact a local pool specialist or the City of Sierra Vista Public Works Department if you have questions about...

A chemical you’re using
A saltwater pool
A polluted, stagnant, or “green” pool
Backwashing your filter
Discharging chlorinated or acid wash water
Not being able to drain to the right-of-way
A street that experiences flooding problems

Did You Know?

Federal, state, and city stormwater regulations prohibit discharging pool backwash, chlorinated, "green," or salt-laden pool water into a stormwater system, right of way, or waterway?

Check below for FAQs for tips and more information about how to legally drain your pool.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Word Viewer

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Do I need a permit if I'm draining on my own property?
No. You may drain water to your grass, trees, bushes, and other landscaping on your property, allowing the water to soak into the ground, if water stays on your property and does not flow onto your neighbors’ property, and if the flow does not cause erosion.

Please be aware, chemically treated water may alter soil chemistry and negatively impact sensitive plants. We recommend that you to neutralize the water prior to draining to your own property.
Why is a pool drain permit required when draining into the right of way?
For three reasons:
1. To allow the City to plan for and expect large quantities of water if the right of way.
2. To ensure that discharge doesn't affect any construction or maintenance scheduled in your area.
3. To monitor discharges and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
Why do I have to neutralize the water before draining it into the right of way?
Unlike sanitary sewer water treatment, storm drains do not use extensive filtering and water cleaning processes. Chemically treated pool water may alter soil chemistry and negatively impact vegetation and wildlife. By adhering to local regulations, you preserve the regional environment and prevent water pollution.
How do I neutralize the water?
Let your pool sit uncovered and untreated for a few days, then test it with a pool test strip or kit. When you test it, the pH levels should fall between 7 and 8, with the chlorine level at 1 part per million or less. Larger pools may take longer to reach the desired pH level. A pool care specialist can also assist with this process.
Can I discharge the water used to wash/rinse my pool filter into the right of way or stormwater system?
No, the discharge of pool filter wash/rinse water is not permitted. You should wash the filter on private property and let the water absorb into the ground.
How can I drain a saltwater pool?
You can obtain a permit and discharge into the sanitary sewer system, drain the water onto your property, or contact a pool care specialist for advice.

Please note that discharging saltwater onto landscaped areas may damage plants or soil due to the unique conditions of a saltwater pool.
Can I discharge pool water that is green from algae into the right of way?
No. Only dechlorinated and pH balanced, clean and clear water can be discharged into the right-of-way. Contact a pool care specialist; they may be able to assist with cleaning, clearing, neutralizing and/or draining your water.
Can I drain my backwash water into the right of way or stormwater system?
No, it is illegal to discharge backwash into either system. You should drain backwash onto your private property and let it absorb into the ground.
What if I'm unable to contain the water to my property or discharge to the right of way?
With a permit, you may be able to discharge to the sanitary sewer system. If that isn't an option, contact a pool care specialist and see if they can offer a solution.
Can I drain my backwash or pool water into the sanitary sewer system?
Yes, but only if:
- You apply for an receive a discharge permit from the City of Sierra Vista Department of Public Works.
- After obtaining a permit, you must call the Public Works department at (520) 458-5775 prior to discharge.
- You determine and use an appropriate discharge rate to avoid any backups or overflows in the sanitary sewer system. Be prepared to call a license plumber if any backups or overflows occur.
- You must prevent discharging soil, sediment, rock, debris, and other solid material along with the water discharge.
Can I drain my pool into my septic system?
No! This is prohibited and will overload your system and cause it to fail.