How to dispose of pool water (Williamsport recommended)

By Matthias Noble, Clean Water Institute Intern, Summer 2022

As stated on city of Williamsport.org in their article “Only Rain Down the Drain” swimming pools in the municipality are prohibited to be drained into the street or down a storm drain. Rather, it is suggested that the pool is left untreated with chlorine or any other chemicals over the span of two weeks. Afterward, the pool can be drained into the sanitary sewer system, if given permission by your local wastewater authority, or it can be drained into your property at a maximum of 12 gallons per minute. If you do decide to drain your pool gradually onto your property, be sure that no water runs off your property, into the street, or into a nearby stream. 



Above: A Sanitary Sewer Access Point 

Why care about what goes down storm drain?

• Depending on the financial support needed to clean your community’s stormwater, a stormwater fee for residential properties is charged. This can range from $5-$10 in per month, or $60 to $120 annually. By ensuring that you take care of your storm drain by disposing of your pool water and any other waste, and managing runoff responsibly, you can help reduce this monthly fee.  
• In the city of Williamsport, as well as many other cities and towns, storm water does not get processed by a local wastewater treatment plant; instead, anything that gets carried by down the stormwater drains is deposited directly local rivers and streams which leads to pollution. 
• Pollutants in local streams and rivers can be detrimental to their ecosystems. By making sure that our stormwater stays clean, it ensures that visitors and residents alike can enjoy Pennsylvania’s beautiful waterways and wildlife. 

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References:
• Cityofwilliamsport.org
• https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DEP_details.aspx?newsid=1069
• https://extension.psu.edu/why-should-i-care-about-stormwater
• https://extension.psu.edu/whats-allowed-to-go-in-a-storm-drain
•https://extension.psu.edu/what-is-a-municipal-stormwater-fee#:~:text=Stormwater%20fee%20for%20residential%20properties,%245%20and%20%2411%20monthly1.
• https://cleanwatershreveport.com/what-is-a-sanitary-sewer-service-lateral/