October 5, 2009
Swimming pools and hot tubs can provide recreational fun, exercise and increased enjoyment of your home. They can also require a lot of regular maintenance involving chemical treatment, backwashing and winterizing. Each of these activities has a potential impact on our local environment, creeks, and Lake Ontario.
The chemicals used to maintain pool water quality, kill bacteria and microbes, and balance the acidity of the pool can also have negative effects in the natural environment. Often chlorine pucks or liquid are used to address these maintenance concerns. Chlorine is a powerful oxidant and strong disinfectant. It reacts quickly with other substances in water or dissipates as a gas into the atmosphere.
In order to protect the environment, discharge pool water to your lawn to allow the grass and soil to act as a natural filter. When shocking your pool, allow 3 days before discharging the pool water to allow for evaporation of chlorine.
Things not to do:
• Never dispose of chemical laden pool water into any type of watercourse.
• Never drain into erosion sensitive ravines or forested areas.
• Never discharge shocked pool water before the chemicals have had a chance to dissipate. Check chlorine levels with your pool test kits.
• Never allow pool water to drain onto your neighbours property.
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For More information Contact:
Pam Lancaster, Watershed Stewardship Technician
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
2216 County Road 28, P.O. Box 328
Port Hope, ON, L1A 3W4
905-885-8173 x 247, plancaster@grca.on.ca
