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The Daily Insight

Where do I drain my pool water to

Author

Andrew Walker

Updated on April 22, 2026

The best way to drain the pool is to empty it directly into the sanitary sewer line outside your home. The process is simple but can be time-consuming, depending on how fast you are able to pump the water.

Can I drain pool water on lawn?

A freshly chlorinated pool should not be discharged into the yard; the chlorine is harmful to yard plants and the environment as a whole. Using a test kit, your pool water needs to reflect a certain concentration of chlorine, such as 0.1 ppm (parts per million), before it is safe to drain into your yard.

Where do I drain my above ground pool?

You’ll want to place the submersible pump on the floor in the center of your pool. The submersible pump will have a hose connected to it. Place the other end of that hose to where you’ve decided to drain your water. Make sure it reaches all the way, or you’ll have a flood to deal with.

Can pool water be drained into street?

In simple terms, you cannot drain pool water into the streets, curbs, catch basins, gutters, ditches, channels, and ultimately, into storm drains (which flow directly into local streams)! The purpose of storm drains is to guard against flooding and water damage by quickly removing rain water from the streets.

How can I drain my pool without flooding the yard?

  1. Unroll the pump’s intake hose so that it reaches the center of the pool (or as close to it as possible), and submerge it in the pool.
  2. Place the outlet hose so the exiting water doesn’t flood the area, but drains off away from the pool.
  3. Dry your hands thoroughly.

How do you drain a chlorine pool?

Run a hose from your swimming pool to the sanitary sewer access port or your indoor drain. Attach a submersible sump pump to the other end of the hose and place it in the deep end of the pool. Many cities have ordinances dictating the allowable flow rate of the sump pump you use when draining pool water into the sewer.

Where can I drain my pool water UK?

If you want to empty your pool, you should check the best way to dispose of water with your environmental regulator or your water and sewerage company or authority. You will need authorisation to dispose of pool water into sewers, surface waters or ground waters.

How do you dispose of chlorine water?

If you can easily discharge your pool or spa water to your private sanitary drain, residential and small pool and spa owners may discharge to the sanitary sewer. Large pool owners should contacts their city for approval, prior to discharging to the sanitary sewer.

How often are public swimming pools drained UK?

Draining public pools: what you need to know As of 7 September 2016 (1), pools must be drained at least once a year. The only exceptions to this rule are wading pools and whirlpool baths, which must be drained twice a year.

Can you drain a pool with a garden hose?

Hook one end of the garden hose to a nearby faucet. … Submerged one end of the hose inside of the pool, close to the centre. Lay the other end of the hose lower than pool water, and leave it in the location where you want to release all the water. The water flow should then reverse and the pool will begin to drain.

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Should I drain my above ground pool and start over?

You may throw up your hands and decide the best course of action is to drain the pool and start over. In fact, draining a pool should be a last resort. … Pools will need to be drained and refilled every 5-7 years on average, or if there is a major necessary repair. Otherwise, avoid draining your pool if at all possible.

How do I drain my above ground pool without a pump?

  1. Place one end of a water hose in the pool. …
  2. Take the other end of the hose to where you want the water to drain. …
  3. Siphon the water out of the pool by placing your mouth on the end of the hose and sucking repeatedly until water comes out.

How long does it take to drain an above ground pool?

Draining a pool can take up to 14 hours, depending on the size, so be sure to drain it on a day when you have sufficient free time. You need to be home to check on the pool, the hoses, and the pump frequently. Do not let the pump run dry or it can become damaged.

How do you drain a pool without a main drain?

Because there is no main drain on most aboveground pools, you will only be able to lower the water to the bottom of the intake or skimmer, using your aboveground pool filter system. To drain an aboveground pools, either a). Use small submersible electric pump and garden hose, or b).

Do swimming pools need drainage?

Most in-ground residential swimming pools, and some above-ground pools, have a main drain. … If the pool you are trying to empty does not have a main drain, you can use a submersible pump, pool pump, or trash pump, to drain the swimming pool.

How often should you change pool water?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

What happens if you empty a pool?

First, if the draining is done at the wrong time or under the wrong conditions, you can actually risk damaging your pool structure and liner. All the water from your pool needs to go somewhere when it’s drained, and that usually means the ground.