AUSTIN, Texas — As Central Texas continues through another hot summer, Austin Watershed Protection said it’s seeing a slight increase in reports of illegal pool and hot tub discharges this spring and summer.
Biz Yarbrough, a Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist with the city, said her division investigates reports of illegal water discharges.
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“Our storm inlet drains do go directly to our creeks and, eventually, the river,” Yarbrough said. “Anything that goes into the street and the curb is going to eventually wind up in our waterways.”
She said the goal is to educate pool owners first, but repeat or serious violations can result in enforcement.
Why chlorinated pool water is a problem
While pool water may look clean, Yarbrough said chlorine and other chemicals can harm aquatic life if discharged the wrong way.
She said chlorine is the most common pollutant her team encounters during pool discharge investigations.
“Large amounts of chlorinated water can cause fish kills,” Yarbrough said.
How to legally drain your pool
Yarbrough said homeowners should never drain pool filter backwash into a storm drain or waterway.
“We recommend discharging to landscaped areas so that the water can just soak into the ground rather than running off of your property,” Yarbrough said. “The best case scenario is going to be a slow drip of dechlorinated, pH-neutral water.”
What are the penalties?
The city said unauthorized water discharges can carry fines of up to $2,000 per day.
The city also offers a Swimming Pool Maintenance guide with step-by-step instructions for homeowners on proper pool maintenance and disposal practices.
To keep waterways clean, Austin Watershed Protection said residents can volunteer to adopt a storm drain.