Where Does Pool Drain Water Go?

Where does pool water go when it is drained?

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t really give our drains much thought. We have a vague notion of how they work but, especially in the case of a swimming pool drain, we may not really know much about them. It becomes important, though, when you need to drain your pool either partially or fully, for pool repair or maintenance. In that case, you’ll need to know how to properly drain pool water, and where that water should go.

Swimming Pool Drains

Main drains are strongly recommended for inground swimming pools, and they can be extremely useful. Having a main drain means you have the ability to drain your pool water without using a sump pump. You won’t often need to entirely drain your pool, but having the capacity to do so is very practical when you’re doing certain maintenance and repair chores, like replacing a pool liner. With a drain, you need a skimmer, and if you install two drains, you are required to have two skimmers. This provides two points of suction in your pool, to provide safety vacuum release. What’s more, having two skimmers aids in the circulation and filtration of your swimming pool water.

Draining a Pool

When you need to drain your pool, you can’t just drain it out into the street, or into the gutters and ditches that ultimately lead into storm drains and then into local bodies of water. Storm drains exist to prevent flooding by diverting rainwater quickly away from the streets. When you release the chemicals and pollutants from a swimming pool into these storm drains, you not only take up space meant for rainwater, but you pollute the local streams, risking environmental contamination. So, where can you drain a pool? You have a few options.

• Drain Into Your yard: This can be an eco-friendly option, allowing you to reuse and recycle your water, reducing your water using for landscaping. If you do this, be mindful of your neighbors, and do your homework first. Find out which plants will benefit from the water, even though it’s been treated with chemicals, and determine your proximity to storm drains.
• Use the sanitary sewer: By using your home’s sanitary sewer cleanout, you divert the water to the sewage system and keep it out of the stormwater system.
• Enlist the Help of a Contractor: A pool contractor can pump out the water, and will know how to properly remove the water.

Expert Pool Services from Millenium Pools and Spas

If you need swimming pool repair or maintenance and are looking for a reliable swimming pool service company, look no further than Millennium Pools and Spas. With over 30 combined years of experience in the pool industry, we provide a comprehensive range of pool services for both residential and commercial customers in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. When you hire Millennium Pool Service, you get a well-qualified, industry-trained staff of pool contractors and technicians, services that are tailored to your needs, and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. Contact us for more information.