City warns residents not to release swimming pool water into storm drains

With summertime upon us, many Oklahoma City residents will be draining and refilling their swimming pools. Before you pour that chlorinated water down your storm water drain, think about the consequences.  Many people may not know it, but it is illegal to discharge chlorinated swimming pool water into your neighborhood storm water drain. 

If your pool isn’t connected to a sanitary sewer line for draining, the water must be de-chlorinated before releasing it into a storm drain. Under the Oklahoma City Municipal Code, fines for violations can range from $200-$1,000 per day for each violation. 

In order to prevent contamination of City creeks, rivers and streams, do not allow chlorinated water to flow into storm drains.  Test your water to ensure that chlorine is not present prior to discharging.  Discharge your pool filtration units into the sanitary sewer cleanout at your home, and make sure that your non-chlorinated discharge is not picking up other pollutants like sediment or pesticides when draining into the storm sewer.

Oklahoma City has opportunities for citizen involvement through the Curbs to Creeks Program.  Curbs to Creeks is a volunteer project to mark storm drains in Oklahoma City with curb markers.  These storm drains are marked in order to inform others that storm drains discharge to creeks, stating “Don’t Dump” and “Protect Your Creek.”  If you would like to participate in keeping City water clean and healthy, call the Curbs to Creeks project coordinator at 297-1774. You’ll receive a free kit that contains supplies for the project, including curb markers, gloves and instructions on how to mark storm water drains.