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Help Prevent
Stormwater Pollution:
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A clean harbour and healthy lakes and rivers are important to everyone in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). However, many common household activities may lead to water pollution if we all are not careful.
Swimming pools and hot tubs are enjoyable and also popular in HRM, but they must be maintained properly to ensure that harsh pool chemicals aren’t allowed to enter the street, where they may flow into storm drains and directly to our rivers, lakes or harbour. Unlike water that enters the sanitary system from our sinks and toilets, water that enters the storm system is not treated before entering natural waterways in HRM.
We would never dump harsh pool chemicals directly into our freshwater resources or the harbour, but that is exactly what could happen if pool water enters the storm system. Discharges from pools or hot tubs may occur as a result of overflows, drainage, cleaning and filter backwashing.
Many pools are plumbed to discharge directly to the sanitary sewer. Call your plumber if you are unsure. If yours is not, follow these tips for proper disposal of hot tub and pool water: |
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Ensure that the water has been dechlorinated. Chlorine naturally dissipates over time and should be completely gone if the water is left standing for 3-5 days. Use a pool testing kit prior to discharge to ensure the concentration of chlorine is zero. |
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Check the pH of the pool water before discharge. It should be between 6.0 and 9.5. |
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Make certain the water is free of any discolouration, dirt or algae. |
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Safeguard against the discharge of filter media with the water. It’s best to clean the pool filter over a lawn. |
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Ensure there are no acidic cleaning wastes or backwashing fluids contained in the water. |
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Every attempt should be made to plumb your system into the sanitary sewer or discharge water to a grassy area. |
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When discharging to a grassy area, the flow should be controlled so it doesn’t cause any erosion problems or enter a neighbour’s property. |
By following these easy tips and complying with the guidelines set out in HRM’s By-Law W-101, you will help to keep harsh chemicals out of our rivers, lakes and harbour. This will help to protect and maintain the health of our environment. Thank you.
For more information regarding the discharge of hot tub and pool water, refer to the Wastewater Regulations, or to report a spill, please contact the Pollution Prevention Office.
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