If you’d like to discharge filter backwash from your home pool into the sewer network, we can permit it – as long as you have written approval from us before you start. You can apply for approval at the bottom of this page. Applications are free of charge.

All efforts should be made to avoid draining of pools except for major maintenance works.

Please note that pool water overflows (due to overfilling by rainwater or tap water) must not be directed to sewer under any circumstances.

Chlorinated freshwater pools

If practical, please re-use your pool water before considering discharging, as long as it doesn’t cause a disturbance to your neighbours and the water is contained within your property.

You can re-use chlorinated fresh water, where practical, in domestic applications (e.g. toilet flushing). This should occur via a holding tank.

For pools where domestic reuse is not practical or possible, dispose of the water in a grassed/vegetated area or to an infiltration device (e.g. a stone filled trench or purpose built infiltration cell) either open to the surface or underground. Avoid runoff outside the property boundaries or causing nuisance to neighbours (e.g. excessive soil wetness, structural instability or unwanted water infiltration).

We acknowledge this option may not be feasible on some sites (e.g. residential areas with steep slopes and shallow, permeable soils).

If reuse isn’t possible, controlled discharge to stormwater may be an option, using a garden hose or similar. Please note that your relevant Council is the authority for discharges to stormwater.

Saltwater pools

If you’re seeking to empty more than 5% of your saltwater pool’s volume to the sewer, written approval from Urban Utilities is required. Permission is generally granted via a permit to dispose under specified conditions. Approval is not guaranteed.

If practical, please re-use your pool water before considering discharging, as long as it doesn’t cause a disturbance to your neighbours and the water is contained within your property.

You can re-use salt pool water, where practical, in domestic applications (e.g. toilet flushing). This should occur via a holding tank.

For pools where domestic reuse isn’t practical or possible, dispose of the water in a grassed/vegetated area or to an infiltration device (e.g. a stone filled trench or purpose built infiltration cell) either open to the surface or underground. Avoid runoff outside the property boundaries or causing nuisance to neighbours (e.g. excessive soil wetness, structural instability or unwanted water infiltration).

We acknowledge this option may not be feasible on some sites (e.g. residential areas with steep slopes and shallow, permeable soils).

If reuse is not possible, controlled discharge to stormwater may be an option, using a garden hose or similar. Please note that your relevant Council is the authority for discharges to stormwater.

Residential swimming pool backwash discharge to sewer – application for approval

To seek approval to discharge filter backwash from your home pool into the sewer network, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

What you need to provide

• A copy of the house plumbing plans

For combine drain access, we need to see:

• A copy of the house plumbing plans
• Plans for your connection to the combine drain

Discharging multi-residential pool water into the sewer

If you’d like to discharge pool filter backwash from a multi-residential block into the sewer network, we can permit it – as long as you have written approval from us before you start. You can apply for approval at the bottom of this page. Applications are free of charge.

All efforts should be made to avoid draining of pools except for major maintenance works.

Urban Utilities does not allow the pool overflow or drain to discharge into the sewerage network. This is a matter for your local council.

What you need to provide

The stormwater point located near pool equipment area must be shown. We need to see:

• Drainage design
• Schematic plan

Conditions of approval

If you’re approved for discharge, your approval letter will include the following conditions:

• Discharge must be through the property private plumbing and drainage, and not a direct connection to the sewerage network
• The instantaneous flow rate is to be set at a maximum of 1 litre/second