Pool Services

Some common pollutants from the pool services industry include:

  • Chemicals
  • Cleaning chemicals
  • Chlorinated water

Runoff (stormwater and non-stormwater) from the pool services industry can be a major source of these pollutants, and once released, these harmful pollutants can be transported to our Orange County rivers, creeks, and the ocean.

Pollution Prevention for Pool Services

Here are tips for the pool services industry to help keep our waterways clean:

Filter Maintenance

Sand filters, filter cartridges, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters should be washed or backwashed into the sewer system not public storm drains. DE is very harmful to aquatic life, so used DE must be bagged and disposed with trash

Chlorine Removal

Excess chlorine can be removed by discontinuing the use of chlorine for a few days prior to discharge or by purchasing dechlorinating chemicals from a pool supply company

Saltwater

Consider switching a chlorine-based system to a salt-water system

Pool Water

If you are disposing pool water into a sanitary sewer, make sure the water is free of any unusual coloration, dirt, or algae


Practice BMPs related to pool services listed in the BMP Fact Sheets here.

Find additional BMP Fact Sheets here. Once on the BMP Fact Sheet website, use the left menu to navigate between the different BMP Fact Sheet categories available.

Also, check out our applicable brochures below: