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 Clean beaches and healthy creeks, rivers,
bays, and ocean are important to Orange County. However, many common
activities can lead to water pollution if you’re not careful.
Swimming pools and spas are common in Orange
County, but they must be maintained properly to guarantee that
chemicals aren’t allowed to enter the street, where they can flow
into the storm drains and then into the waterways. Unlike water
in sanitary sewers (from sinks and toilets), water in storm drains
is not treated before entering our waterways.
You would never dump pool chemicals into
the ocean, so don’t let it enter the storm drains. Follow these
easy tips to help prevent water pollution.
For more information, please call the Orange
County Stormwater Program at (714) 567-6363 or visit the Stormwater page.
To report a spill, call the Orange County
24-Hour Water Pollution Problem Reporting Hotline at (714) 567-6363.
The tips contained in this brochure provide
useful information to help prevent water pollution while maintaining
your pool. If you have other suggestions, please contact your city’s
stormwater representatives or call the Orange County Stormwater
Program.
| For
emergencies dial 911. |
Many pools are plumbed to allow the pool to drain directly to the sanitary
sewer. If yours is not, follow these instructions for disposing of pool
and spa water.
Acceptable and Preferred Method of Disposal
When you cannot dispose of pool water in the sanitary sewer, the
release of dechlorinated swimming pool water is allowed if all
of these tips are followed:
- The residential chlorine does not
exceed 0.1 mg/l (parts per million).
- The pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.
- The water is free of any unusual coloration,
dirt or algae.
- There is no discharge of filter media.
- There is no discharge of acid cleaning
wastes.
- Some cities may have ordinances
that do not allow pool water to be
disposed into a storm drain. Check
with your city.
How to Know if You’re Following the Standards
You can find out how much chlorine is in your
water by using a pool testing kit. Excess chlorine can be removed
by discontinuing the use of chlorine for a few days prior to discharge
or by purchasing dechlorinating chemicals from a local pool supply
company. Always make sure to follow the instructions that come
with any products you use.
Doing
Your Part
By complying with these guidelines, you will
make a significant contribution toward keeping pollutants out of
Orange County’s creeks, streams, rivers, bays and the ocean. This
helps to protect organisms that are sensitive to pool chemicals,
and helps to maintain the health of our environment.
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