Draining of Swimming Pools - Draining of pool water discharge shall be discharged onto the farthest point of the lawn from the roadside swale that drains to the roadside swale to allow for filtration of the water.  Water shall not be drained to any canal.  Below is additional guidance to aid property owners from being in violation of the City’s Code Ordinances and to help minimize environmental impacts.

Guidance

To help protect Florida’s environment, the following best management practices should be followed when draining swimming pools or discharging filter backwash into the environment.

• Only drain your pool when necessary. Avoid draining/backwashing your pool during periods of drought and during significant rainfall evens. Do not drain your pool when watering restrictions are in place.

• Before draining your pool, allow the water to stand for at least 48 hours after the last addition of chlorine or until the free chlorine residual is ≤0.01mg/L. (If you need to drain your pool quickly, you can purchase chlorine-neutralizing chemicals such as sodium thiosulfate at your local pool supply company.)

• Test the free chlorine residual before discharging. A free chlorine residual should not be detected. The chlorine residual can be tested using a standard pool test it. (Refer to 64E-9.004(11), F.A.C. for additional information).

• The water should be clear and free of solids.

• The pH must be between 6.5 and 8.5 before it is discharged.

• Algaecides containing copper or silver can interrupt algal and plant growth in surface water bodies and should be used with caution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before discharging water that has had an algaecide added recently.

• Control the rate of discharge across your property to avoid erosion and nuisance conditions for neighboring properties. Nuisance conditions such as the creation of odors, mosquito breeding conditions or flooding can occur when water is ponded for a prolonged period.

• Direct the discharge over a vegetated surface so that some level of filtration can occur.

• Do not discharge on areas recently treated with herbicides or pesticides.

The Engineering Division provides technical support & services to all City departments,

  • Drainage and Storm Water Management
  • Designs, and serves as project management and inspects the construction of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
  • Infrastructure improvements & maintenance projects
  • Engineering Review of Commercial Construction Projects
  • Street Lighting Coordination
  • Traffic Signals, Signs, and Striping Coordination
  • Paving Program
  • Storm Water
  • Developed and maintain the Seawall Assessment program, permitting research for various City projects
  • Reviews & presents proposed canal construction applications for special permits to Punta Gorda Isles Canal Maintenance District, Burnt Store Isles Canal Maintenance District & City Council
  • Staff serves as the point of contact relating to the NPDES Storm Water Permit 

 Design Permitting and Management of City Construction Projects.