Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Draining the pool water may be necessary for a variety of reasons. But what to do with it? This is because chemical treatment can be dangerous for waste water and groundwater. You can find out the rules in your state here.

In a nutshell

  • the waste water can also be damaged by draining pool water
  • chemically treated water requires special disposal
  • the rules are not only different depending on the state
  • Groundwater and plants are affected
  • special tests and disposal options are available

Drain pool water - reasons

Draining pool water can have many causes. For example:

  • missing filtering
  • strong impurities
  • Preparing the pool for the winter

Especially with models without a filter, dirt can quickly become a problem. However, the most common reasons for a necessary complete emptying are:

  • spread of algae
  • entrained soil, leaves and other foreign matter
  • Damage to the pool
  • greasy pads
  • Protection against frost damage
Contaminated pool water may need to be disposed of.

Tip: Except for preparing for the winter, a complete draining of the water can often be avoided by treating the water appropriately.

disposal options

How the water is disposed of, or can be disposed of, depends mainly but not only on the regulations of the federal states. Nevertheless, these should be observed and come first.
Among other things, the following are crucial:

  • Treatment or chemical additives
  • quantity or volume
  • gradual or complete draining of the water
  • access to sewerage

While it is usually possible for small pools to drain water into the sewage system without any problems, this may not be a legal solution in some areas and for larger quantities. Therefore, everyone should inform themselves comprehensively in advance.

dispose of water

A small paddling pool for children or dogs with untreated water can of course be emptied and the contents used for watering. This can be done on your own property or in a garden club. The situation is different in large swimming pools with chlorine in the water.

You can water garden plants with pool water.

Simply placing the content in the surrounding garden is not an option. Depending on the federal state and location, it is also not possible to discharge it directly and completely via the sewage system. On the one hand, this can be due to the fact that it is too far away to pump out the pool contents via a hose. On the other hand, there may also be the possibility that the chemicals in the water itself are too much for the wastewater and would overwhelm the treatment plant.
This is at least true if the entire contents of the pool are drained at once. However, emptying in small steps means a lot of effort and takes considerably longer. An alternative can be the taking over of the task by a service.

dispose of water

The simplest option for larger pools is to hire the appropriate service provider to do it. The advantages here are:

  • Groundwater is not polluted
  • no physical exertion, no effort
  • Water is tested and treated accordingly

The disadvantage, of course, is that this incurs costs.

Prevent water changes

Before you have to drain the entire pool water, a few preventive measures are appropriate. This applies in all federal states. These include, among others:

  • use cover
  • use filters
  • create a natural swimming pool
  • remove coarse dirt with a net
  • Clean pool walls
  • Choosing the right position for the pool
  • Use UV light in the filter instead of chemicals

On the one hand, a complete water change is rarely if ever necessary. On the other hand, you can use the untreated water directly for watering.

Remove dirt from the pool water with a net

rules in the state

There is no general and permanent answer as to whether you can simply drain pool water in your federal state. In Saxony, for example, things are different than in Thuringia, although the federal states share a border. But that's not all: it's even more complicated and detailed.
Because how you can drain or dispose of the water is not solely dependent on whether you are in Bavaria or Saarland. The individual municipalities or garden associations also differ considerably in their specifications. You should therefore always obtain information from the body responsible for waste water disposal and water supply.
Also, keep in mind that regulations and rules are subject to change. This may be accompanied by high fines and other restrictions. It therefore makes sense not only to visit the website of the respective water supplier, but also to obtain written approval. With this, everyone is on the safe side and can not only save effort, but also a lot of trouble.

frequently asked Questions

Why do I need to drain pool water?

There can be various reasons for this. These include, for example, an impurity that can no longer be removed by filtration and the addition of appropriate agents.

Can I use the pool water for watering?

That depends on whether and with what it was treated. Untreated water from a small paddling pool can of course be used for watering without any problems. The chlorinated water from the large family pool may not even go into the sewage system.

Can I drain the water at night?

It's a possibility that one or the other chooses. However, that doesn't change the damage it does to treated water. Professional disposal is often easier and cheaper than expected and does not affect the environment. It is therefore not advisable to secretly carry out such an action.

Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Category: