How to Drain Your Pool Safely

Did you know that all storm drains in Southlake drain directly into a pond, lake, creek or river?

Inappropriate discharge could affect wetlands, wildlife and our community, which is why proper discharge is important.

When draining your pool, it’s best to take safety measures to aid proper drainage and help the environment.

Before you start the process, make sure you use a pool test kit and ensure the water is free of algaecides, the pH falls between 6 and 8 and that the pool is free of chlorine. Avoid draining your pool if you have recently treated your lawn with pesticides or fertilizers.

Draining Your Pool Through Your Lawn

• This method requires the lawn to be free of pet waste, natural debris, and excess fertilizer to avoid pollution of our local waters.
• Dechlorinate your pool to less than 0.1 ppm.
• Adjust the pH of your pool to fall between 6 and 8 if needed.
• Pump from the deepest location in the pool, allowing the drainage to flow through your lawn to be filtered and absorbed.

Draining Your Pool Through the Sanitary Sewer System

• Contact Southlake Public Works before draining your pool: 817-748-8082.
• Dechlorinate your pool to less than 3 ppm.
• Using the sanitary sewer cleanout on your property, the water may be discharged at a rate not exceeding 50 gallons per minute.

For more information on draining your pool, please visit our webpage about stormwater management.