Cobourg, ON (May 20, 2022) – The Town of Cobourg’s Environmental Services Department would like to remind residents of proper pool etiquette and cleaning guidelines to help keep our storm sewer system clean, safe, and free of any harsh chemicals.

“We recognize that residential pools require regular maintenance including chemical treatments, backwashing and winterizing in the fall,” said Jennifer Leno, Environmental Technician for the Town of Cobourg. “Each of these activities has a potential impact on the air, soil, vegetation and watercourses in the surrounding area and we are asking residents to ensure that these maintenance activities are done with care.”

The discharge of pool or hot tub water to waterways can have disastrous effects in the natural environment since pool and hot tub water can contain chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, chloride salts, copper–based algaecides, nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates, which are designed to kill and prevent growth of algae and bacteria. These chemicals can also be lethal to trout and salmon if discharged to local creeks and rivers.

Here are some safety tips for pool owners to keep in mind this summer:

• Pool water (chlorine pool only) can be discharged on your lawn to allow grass and soil to act as a natural filter, if it does not cause erosion or impact/damage any neighbouring properties. The water from saltwater pools will burn or kills your grass/plants.
• Avoid adding chemicals to your pool water for seven days prior to draining.

Residents are asked to follow all rules and guidelines by avoiding the following:

• Do not dispose of pool water in any waterway (river, creek, pond, lake) at any time.
• Do not dispose of any pool water before allowing the chemicals to dissipate.
• Do not drain saltwater pools or chlorine pools onto any roadway or municipal storm sewer catch basin (see Sewer Use Bylaw #22-2008)

Questions?
For additional questions or concerns contact the Environmental Services Department at 905-372-7332.