Chemicals in pool water can harm the Arroyo
City wants residents to be mindful of where they drain
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

For many people, finding relief from summer's scorching heat means a quick dip in the swimming pool.

But the rise in temperatures has prompted Simi Valley's Public Works Environmental Compliance Division to remind residents of the rules when it comes to draining their pools.

The water from recreational swimming pools, hot tubs, fishponds and fountains often contains chemicals used for sanitizing or cleaning purposes.

These chemicals, including chlorine or copperbased algaecides, are damaging to the environment if the wastewater reaches the Arroyo Simi by way of storm drains.

According to local, state and federal regulations, only rainwater is allowed to enter the storm drain system without a special permit.

Anyone whose pool has a chemical level within the acceptable limits may obtain an encroachment permit before draining their pool.

Kevin Gieschen, environmental compliance program coordinator, said the department no longer goes out and tests pools to see if they fall within acceptable limits because most issues can be clarified over the phone.

For example, if chlorine has recently been put into the pool, it will need to be dechlorinated before gaining the permit to discharge.

There are two options for dechlorinating a freshwater pool. The first: Call a pool service to adjust the chemicals or get the necessary supplies from a pool store. The other: Wait a few weeks for the chlorine level to dissipate on its own.

Maintenance discharges such as acid wash, filter backwash, saltwater drainage and plaster wastes must never be drained into the street or storm drains.

Saltwater pools should not be drained into the storm water system under any circumstances.

The average pool holds about 25,000 gallons, according to Gieschen, and dumping saltwater into the Arroyo "is like putting part of the ocean into a freshwater stream," killing wildlife that cannot survive in a saltwater environment.

He said the department has come up with two ways for residents to legally and safely drain their saltwater pools. The first- and most expensive- is to call a pumper company, which Gieschen said can cost from $10,000 to $15,000.

The cheaper, but still pricey, option is to get a permit from the city to discharge the pool water to Simi's sewer plant, which treats the water before it goes down the Arroyo.

This option would cost about $1,000, and the water would be drained over a five-day period.

To learn more about draining a saltwater pool, call (805) 5836426 or (805) 583-6424.

Residents planning on discharging their pools should call the division first at (805) 5836462 so that the department can educate them about what is allowed down the storm drain.

Discharging is only permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid traffic problems due to water on the road and to assist scheduling of street maintenance activity.

The free Encroachment Application and Permit can be obtained from the city's department of public works at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.