City of Sierra Vista, AZ
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Draining Your Pool
Need to drain your pool? It's as easy as one, two, three!
1. Let it Sit.
Let your pool sit for 48 hours or longer without adding any chemicals to allow them to decrease to environmentally friendly levels. Get a pool test kit and check that the chlorine and bromine levels measure “0” before pumping the water out.
Why? Water in pools, spas, and fountains is treated with additives like chlorine, acid, alkalis, minerals, and other chemicals to make it pH balanced and clean. However, these additives can be harmful — even toxic — to plant and aquatic life.
Water drained into roads and other publicly owned areas enters the separate stormwater sewer system and eventually makes its way into streams, rivers, washes, and natural areas without being treated.
2. Get a Permit.
If you’re planning to drain your pool, spa, or fountain off your property and into the street, you’ll need a Pool/Spa Drain Permit. You can obtain a permit through the City's online platform Citizenserve.
Once a Pool/Spa Permit is obtained, drain your pool to a paved public street only. Do not drain your pool to a dirt alley, wash, or an unpaved road where it will cause erosion. If this is not possible, please contact the Public Works Department at (520) 458-5775 for assistance.
3. Take it Slow.
Once your pool water is neutralized and you have your permit, call the Public Works Department inspector at (520) 459-3868 24-hours before draining your pool and leave a message with your name, permit number, and address.
Once the department has been notified, it’s time to start draining! Be sure to drain your pool to the curbline gutter of a paved public street and pump the water out slowly to prevent flooding roadways, impeding vehicle and pedestrian traffic, or overwhelming the stormwater system. Do not drain your pool to a dirt road, alley, or wash as this can cause erosion damage.
Can I drain my pool onto my own property?
Yes, as long as you ensure the following:
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Drain the water slowly (the maximum recommended discharge rate is 12 gallons per minute or 720 gal/hr) and do not flood neighboring properties or discharge into public areas such as the street, storm drain, or wash.
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Those who choose to drain their pool onto their property must stay in compliance with sections 150.12 and 150.23 of the City Code. If staff observe violations of the City Code, a Notice of Violation may be issued, and the property owner will be responsible for remediating damage to public property and neighboring properties.
Can I backwash my pool filter onto my own property?
If you drain your water feature or backwash your filter onto your own property, keep the flow slow (the maximum recommended discharge rate is 12 gallons per minute or 720 gal/hr) to prevent the water from leaving your property, damaging your landscaping, or seeping onto your neighbor's property.
Filter backwash cannot be discharged into public areas such as the street and can only be discharged onto your own property. When you backwash, make sure that the water doesn't overflow into the street, other publicly owned areas, or neighboring property.
Contact a local pool specialist or the City of Sierra Vista Public Works Department if you have questions about...
- A chemical you're using
- A saltwater pool
- a polluted, stagnant, or "green" pool
- Backwashing your filter
- Discharging chlorinated or acid wash water
- Not being able to drain to the street
- A street that experiences flooding problems
Did You Know?
Federal, state, and city stormwater regulations prohibit discharging pool backwash, chlorinated, "green", or salt-laden pool water into a stormwater system, waterway, or other publicly owned area?
Click below for FAQs, tips, and more information about how to legally drain your pool.
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