Guidelines for De-Chlorinating Swimming Pools ... - City of Wilmington

Guidelines for De-ChlorinatingSwimming Pools, Hot Tubs,Spas and FountainsReleasing polluting chemicals, such aschlorinated swimming pool water, intothe environment causes water pollutionand damage to sensitive aquatic life andecosystems.Swimming pool water must be properlyde-chlorinated before discharging.In the City of Wilmington, water fromswimming pools, hot tubs, spas, andfountains must be de-chlorinatedbefore being discharged into theenvironment.Wilmington City Ordinance states:Hot tubs, spas and fountain water mustalso be de-chlorinated.“Anyone found responsible for causing apolluting substance to enter a storm drain orany other part of the drainage system (stormdrain, ditch, creek, street, etc.) can face finesup to $10,000”. (Chapter 12- Utilities)Please follow the instructions on theback to properly de-chlorinateswimming pools, hot tubs, spas, orfountain water before discharging.Questions?Call City Stormwater Compliance910.341.0092www.wilmingtonnc.gov/stormwater

To de-chlorinate residentialswimming pool, hot tub, spa,or fountain water:1. Once the chlorination system has been shut off orchlorine has stopped being added to the water,keep the water in the pool/spa/fountain for 7-10days to allow the chlorine to naturally evaporate inthe sunlight.De-chlorination additives can also be purchased atyour local pool supply store and can be used tospeed up the de-chlorination process.2. Use a test kit to measure the chlorine level andpH in the water. Most pool owners use a pH andchlorine test kit to maintain the quality of the poolwater, but if you do not have one, you can purchasean inexpensive one at a local pool supply store.The water should not show any detectable levelsof chlorine, and the pH should be neutral between6.5 and 8.5. You may need to let the water sitlonger to achieve the chlorine and pH levelsrequired for discharge.3. After water is de-chlorinated, you may dischargethe water under the following conditions:• Avoid creating conditions that cause streetor property flooding or ponding water• Avoid discharging when it is raining, in orderto prevent the storm drainage system frombecoming overloaded.Additional Precautions:Water from backwashing pool filtersshould not be discharged to the streetor storm drainage system.Pool water may contain copper fromchemicals used in the pool to preventthe growth of algae. Since copper canbe harmful to fish and wildlife, yourlocal pool supply store can help youdetermine the best chemicals to add tothe pool to neutralize or removemetals from the water beforedischarging.Properly store pool and spa chemicalsto prevent leaks and spills. Store themin an area that is properly covered toavoid exposure to rain or vandalism.Commercial pools may, on a case-bycasebasis, discharge to the sanitarysewer system. Pool owners must firstcontact the Cape Fear Public UtilityAuthority (CFPUA) – CommunityCompliance Section to see if theyqualify and for specific dischargeinstructions, 910-332-6558.(If commercial pools choose todischarge to the outdoors, they mustfollow the de-chlorinating instructionsto the left.)Remember, only DE-CHLORINATED swimmingpool/hot tub/spa/fountain water is allowed to bedischarged into the environment.Thank you for your cooperationin keeping Wilmington’s Waterways clean and healthy!