It’s one of the hottest summers the UK has ever seen, gardens across the country have been transformed into mini holiday resorts. Paddling pools appear, inflatable unicorns rule the lawns, and anyone lucky enough to find one, bought a fan before they all disappeared from the shelves!
But when the heatwave passes and it’s time to pack away the pool. There’s just one question… what do you do with all that leftover water?
You might think the easiest option is to pull the plug and send thousands of litres of water straight down the drain. But before you create your own back garden flood, it’s worth thinking about what’s actually in that water.
Swimming pool water often contains chlorine and other chemicals designed to keep it clean and safe for swimmers. While the levels in a garden pool are usually quite low, freshly chlorinated water can harm aquatic insects, amphibians, fish and the beneficial microorganisms that form the base of the food chain. That’s why chlorinated water should never be discharged directly into natural watercourses.
Not all drains are the same
Here’s the bit that surprises most homeowners. There are generally two types of drainage around your home.
Foul drains ✔
These carry wastewater from:
- Toilets
- Baths
- Showers
- Sinks
- Washing machines
The water travels to a wastewater treatment works where it’s cleaned before being returned to the environment.
Surface water drains ✘
These are designed for rainwater from:
- Roads
- Driveways
- Roof gutters
- Patios
Many surface water systems discharge directly into nearby rivers, streams or ponds with little or no treatment. So pouring chlorinated pool water into a road gully or surface water drain could send it straight into your local watercourse.
So how do you get rid of chlorinated pool water?
Let the sun do the work
If you’re not in a rush, leaving the pool uncovered allows sunlight and fresh air to naturally reduce chlorine levels over time and after a few days the water may be suitable for using around your garden.
Use a chlorine neutraliser
If you need to empty the pool sooner, products containing sodium thiosulfate can be used to neutralise chlorine. These are commonly available as pool treatment products and should always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Remember … removing chlorine doesn’t necessarily remove every chemical that may have been added to the water, so always check what’s in your pool before deciding where the water should go.
Drain slowly and sensibly
If the water needs to be emptied, avoid creating a sudden rush into your drains. A large volume of water all at once can overwhelm drainage systems, especially after dry weather when ground conditions have changed.
Spread the release out gradually and avoid emptying directly into places where water can pool or cause flooding.
Reuse the water around the garden?
Sometimes…
If you’ve only used a very small amount of chlorine and you’ve stopped treating the pool for several days, much of the free chlorine may have naturally dissipated through exposure to sunlight and air.
However, don’t rely on guesswork.
If the water still smells strongly of chlorine or test strips show there’s still free chlorine present, it’s better not to empty it onto your lawn, flower beds or anywhere it could run into a ditch, stream or pond.
Happy Drains’ summer tips
Draining pool water safely:
✓ Stop adding chlorine a few days beforehand if possible.
✓ If you have pool test strips, check that free chlorine is close to zero.
✓ Avoid discharging chlorinated water into surface water drains, ditches, streams or ponds.
✓ If disposal via a drain is appropriate, use a foul drain (such as one connected to your household wastewater system), not a surface water drain.
✓ If you’re not sure which drain is which… that’s where we can help.
Not sure whether that drain on your driveway is a foul drain or a surface water drain? Our drainage surveys can identify your drainage layout, helping you avoid costly mistakes and protect the environment at the same time.
Keep your drains happy after summer
Hot weather can cause all sorts of unusual drain problems. As gardens dry out, people often use more water, clean outdoor equipment more frequently, and empty things they wouldn’t normally think about.
Remember:
- Don’t pour chemicals, paint, or cleaning products down outdoor drains
- Keep leaves and debris away from drain covers
- Check gutters and drains before autumn arrives
Your drains work hard all year round so they deserve a little post-summer care!
When it’s time to say goodbye to the paddling pool, don’t just pull the plug and hope for the best. Give that water a second thought before it disappears down the drain. Your paddling pool may only be around for a few sunny weekends each year, but the wildlife in your local streams and ponds lives there all year round.
Happy summer, happy garden… and hap-hap-happy drains!
Best,
David & Will
P.S – always slap on that suncream!