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DDOE Reminds Swimming Pool Owners to Properly Drain, Dechlorinate

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Media Contact: Alan Heymann (202) 741-2136

Washington, DC – District residents and business owners with swimming pools must remove chlorine from the water and discharge it into a sanitary sewer line. The District’s storm sewer system, which pipes directly into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, was designed to handle runoff from rain and snow only. Chlorinated water can kill aquatic life.

“A little chlorine can go a long way when it comes to the fish and other life in our rivers and streams,” said DDOE Director George S. Hawkins. “Pool owners should be sure to do the right thing as the weather gets warmer and our thoughts turn to swimming and other outdoor activities.”

To remove chlorine, a pool owner can simply stop adding it to the water and wait for sunlight to dissipate it. Chemicals are also available from pool supply companies to quickly remove chlorine from the water. A pool test kit will help determine when the chlorine has reached an undetectable level and the water is safe to drain.

Discharging swimming pool water into public or park space is a violation of District law with a $1,000 maximum penalty for the first offense. It is also a violation of the federal Water Pollution Control Act to discharge pollutants into District waters without a permit.

To report possible discharges, residents can call DDOE’s Water Quality Division at (202) 535-2600. For more information on swimming pools, please visit the DDOE website.