Immediate Release
August 31, 2010
Batavia, Ohio. As the chill of fall looms, school is back in session, and footballs are flying, many of us begin thinking about closing the backyard swimming pool. Before you dive into the task, there are some important things to keep in mind. While pool owners spend lots of time and money ensuring that the chlorine level in the pool is high enough to keep people from getting sick, discharging the chlorine into the environment can be dangerous to wildlife. Just as the chlorine was effective at killing the bacteria and algae during the year, it can also kill fish and other life in our streams and rivers.
To help alleviate this problem, pool owners should turn the pool chlorinators off several days before they are ready to empty the pool. By doing this, the residual chlorine you tried so hard to maintain during the season will dissipate and not harm the wildlife in the streams. There is no permit required to discharge pool water, but the water should be tested to ensure there is no residual chlorine.
The pool discharge water can also create an erosion problem. Place a rock run at the end of the discharge hose to help disperse the water’s force.
If you have additional questions regarding the discharge of swimming pool water, contact the Clermont County Storm Water Management Office at (513) 732-7880.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.