Draining Your Pool
Swimming pools contain chemicals that are harmful to fish and other organisms living in our lakes, rivers and creeks and should not be discharged directly into the sewer system.
When draining outdoor swimming pools do not drain pool water:
- either directly or indirectly into a storm sewer,
- onto a neighbour’s property or
- over a valley or ravine slope, as pool water may cause erosion and damage to vegetation.
The best way to drain pools is at a slow trickle onto your own property so that the water evaporates or soaks into the ground. You can also contract the services of a licensed waste hauler.
You may only ever drain your pool using a temporary connection to the sewer system with written authorization of an official of the City’s Water/Wastewater division.
If you do not comply with Sewer Use By-law 2010-188 you can be fined up to $5,000 per day for a first offence. Corporations can be fined up to $50,000 per day for a first offence.