Draining Pools, Hot Tubs & Water Features
Before draining your pool, hot tub or water feature you should know how to do it safely, responsibly and legally.
Water in swimming pools, hot tubs and water features have a variety of chemicals (such as chlorine and algaecides) to prevent organisms from living. If swimming pool and hot tub water is drained and allowed to enter the street, storm drains and stormwater system, it will harm plant and aquatic life in local streams and lakes.
Everything that flows into a storm drain in Bellevue goes directly to our local streams and lakes unfiltered and untreated. Many people believe this water gets "cleaned" before reaching our waterways, but storm drains (outside drains) and the sewer system (inside drains) are not connected.
How do I drain water from a pool, hot tub or water feature?
In Bellevue there are four legal ways to drain water from pools, hot tubs and water features. If you have any questions or concerns about draining your pool, hot tub or water feature call Bellevue Utilities anytime at 425-452-7840.
Professional Draining Services
Hire a professional service to pump the water out of your pool, hot tub or water feature and remove it for proper disposal. Verify they dispose of water in the sewer system where it is filtered and treated. Most in-ground swimming pools with pumps are already connected to the sewer system.
Sewer System for Treatment
The sewer system can be accessed by an outdoor sewer cleanout, typically located outside near your home and has either a white or black cap on it. If this isn’t available, you can also access the sewer system by draining water to an indoor floor drain, shower drain or utility sink. The sewer system delivers water to the wastewater treatment plant where it is filtered and treated.
Ground Infiltration & Irrigation
First de-chlorinate: Chlorine will naturally dissipate by waiting a few days to a week. Use a test kit to make sure the chlorine level is below 0.10 ppm and the pH is neutral (6-8). You may drain water to the ground only if it can be absorbed on your property and will not overflow into the street or storm drain. Do not drain to the ground before, during or up to 48 hours after a rain event.
Draining into the street and storm drain system
ONLY unheated and chlorine free water without algicides if no other options are available
It is critical the water is unheated, de-chlorinated, algicide free, with a neutral pH. Any water that enters the storm drain goes directly into Bellevue’s local streams and can harm fish, insects and wildlife.
Pool, Hot Tub and Water Feature Draining Options* | |||||
Water Types | Sanitary Sewer System | Water Removal Service | Drain to landscaping to use as Irrigation | Drain to street and storm drains | NEVER Drain to a Septic System |
| Chlorinated and/or with Algicide Chemicals | YES | YES | X | X | X |
| Saline or Saltwater | YES | YES | X | X | X |
| De-chlorinated, Algicide Free, Chemical Free & Unheated | YES | YES | YES | YES | X |
*Call Bellevue Utilities 24/7 if you have any questions about draining a pool, hot tub or pond at 425-452-7840. | |||||
Save time, money, water and prevent pollution
Swimming pools, hot tubs and water features should not require draining more than once every five to ten years if properly maintained.
- Develop and follow a pool, hot tub or water maintenance plan or hire a service to do regular checks.
- Scrub or wipe down the surfaces of your pool, hot tub or water feature regularly and change the filters as scheduled or more often when use is increased.
- Balance chlorine and pH levels by monitoring regularly with a basic testing kit.
- Manage pH and water hardness to reduce copper pipe corrosion that can stain the pool or hot tub and pollute the water.
- Maintain the pump on schedule to avoid disrupting the water filtration and circulation.
- Avoid using copper algaecides. Ask a pool/spa/hot tub/water feature maintenance service or store for help resolving a persistent algae problem before considering the use of copper algaecides. Copper algaecides can stain liners and surfaces, discolor light hair, cause irritation and are very harmful to aquatic life.
- Store pool chemicals tightly closed and in a dry, covered area protected from weather to avoid unintended chemical reactions or contamination.
Storm drains vs. the sewer system
Storm drains carry rainwater off surfaces and deliver it directly to Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish unfiltered and untreated through a series of connected culverts, streams, pipes and ditches called our stormwater system. The system was created to prevent flooding in our neighborhoods and community.
The sewer system, a separate series of pipes that connect directly to homes and buildings, collects used water from our indoor drains and appliances, such as sinks, washing machines and toilets. The sewer system transports our used indoor water and sewage to a wastewater treatment facility where it is filtered and treated.
Clean streams and lakes are important. When you’re outside, remember: Only rain down the drain.
Report 24-Hour Emergencies and Utilities Maintenance
Please call our 24/7 425-452-7840 hotline for flooding, water main breaks, sewer overflows and pollutant spills.