City of Vaughan

09/12/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2021 08:10

Closing your pool? Drain it safely

​What you need to know about disposing of pool, hot tub and spa water

Are you gearing up to close your pool, hot tub or spa for the season? Water from pools, hot tubs or spas is filled with products and chemicals that keep them clean and safe for swimming; however, these same chemicals can be toxic to the environment, fish and organisms that live in creeks, rivers and Lake Ontario - the source of Vaughan's drinking water.The City of Vaughan continues to bring safe and clean drinking water to residents and businesses in Vaughan - but everyone's help is needed to preserve the environment and protect the source of our drinking water.

The best way to dispose of water from both chlorine and saltwater pools, including backwash water from the filter, is onto your lawn surrounding your property ONLY if the following conditions are met:

  • The water has a pH greater than 6.0 and less than 9.0.
  • The water is dechlorinated before discharging.
  • The water is free of debris, vegetation or algae.
  • The private residence does not back onto a ravine or valley.
  • The water can be properly absorbed into the lawn. You must consider the slope and surface of your property and the rate with which the water is removed and absorbed into the ground to ensure it does not run toward your home or your neighbour's property.

As the owner of a private swimming pool, hot tub or spa, you or any company you hire have a responsibility and legal obligation to safely maintain and operate your pool, hot tub or spa it in compliance with the City's Sewer Use By-law(PDF). Under this by-law, pool water must be safely discharged onto the lawn surrounding your home. Saltwater and backwash water from the filter may be disposed of into the sanitary sewer system as a last option. Connections to the sanitary sewer system are located inside your home through drains from a toilet, laundry sink, kitchen sink or bathtub.

What not to do:

  • Never drain chlorinated water or saltwater directly into a catch basin. Only rainwater should enter into the storm sewer system. Stormwater is not treated before going back into the environment.
  • Never discharge pool water into a ravine or valley or onto the ground near a ravine or valley because this water can be harmful to the natural environment and can cause soil erosion.
  • Avoid discharging water on a rainy day or during peak times - aim for evenings after 8 p.m. or weekends after 10 a.m. on clear sunny days.
  • Do not add chemicals to a chlorinated pool, hot tub or spa for two weeks before draining.

Leftover or expired pool chemicals?These are considered household hazardous waste and must be disposed of at any one of York Region's Hazardous Waste Depots.

For more information on draining your pool or reporting a spill or unintended discharge, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at [email protected],or the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 416-325-3000 (toll-free: 1-800-268-6060), TTY: 1-855-889-5775. To report a spill or unintended discharge, you can fill out the online formfrom the Corporate Compliance Governance Officer's office.

About Vaughan's sewer systems

The City of Vaughan has two different sewer systems:

  1. Sanitary sewerscollect wastewater that leaves homes and buildings through a drain, such as a toilet, sink, washer or shower, and helps move it to the Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Durham Region and Peel Region where it is treated before being released into Lake Ontario. Wastewater is 'used' water sent down a drain.
  2. Storm sewerscarry rain and melted snow away from homes and roads through large grates on the ground, known as catch basins. Anything entering a catch basin enters the storm sewer system and goes directly into the nearest stormwater management pond, creek, river and eventually travels to Lake Ontario. This water is referred to as stormwater and is not treated before it goes back into the environment.

The City of Vaughan is responsible for the operation and management of water distribution and wastewater collection services to nearly 335,000 people and more than 19,000 businesses. Delivery of safe drinking water and effective wastewater collection are cornerstones of a sustainable and healthy community.

For updates and news as they happen, sign up for Vaughan News at vaughan.ca/newsand follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagramand LinkedIn.

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