Pool Care
Procedures to follow if you need to
​drain your swimming pool / Spa

​To help protect Florida’s environment, the following practices should be followed when draining pools or spas or discharging filter backwash into the environment:

• Only drain your pool when necessary. Avoid draining during periods of drought and during significant rainfall events. Do not drain your pool when watering restrictions are in place.
• Before draining your pool, allow the water to stand for at least 48 hours after the last addition of chlorine or until the free chlorine residual is < 0.01 mg/l. If you need to drain your pool quickly, chlorine-neutralizing chemicals such as sodium thiosulfate can be purchased at your local pool supply company.
• ​Test the free chlorine residual before discharging. Free chlorine residual should not be detected. This can be accom plished by using a standard pool test kit.​

 
The pH must be between 6.0 and 8.5 before it is discharged.

• The water should be clear of any solids.
• Algaecides containing copper or silver can interrupt normal algal and plant growth in surface water bodies and should be used with caution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before discharging water that has had an algaecide added recently.
• Water should never be discharged directly into the storm water system drain. Direct the discharge over a vegetated surface so that a level of filtration can occur.
• Control the rate of discharge across your property to avoid erosion and nuisance conditions for neighboring properties. Nuisance conditions such as the creation of odors, mosquito breeding, or flooding can occur when water is ponded for a prolonged period.
• Do not discharge on areas recently treated with herbicides or pesticides.

​More information can be found on the District’s website, www.DistrictGov.org or by clicking on The Villages Water Wisdom link.