Keep Vaughan’s water safe and clean

Did you know water from pools, hot tubs and spas contains chemicals that can be toxic to the environment, fish and organisms that live in creeks, rivers and Lake Ontario – the source of Vaughan’s drinking water? Though the City of Vaughan brings safe and clean drinking water to citizens and businesses, owners of pools, hot tubs and spas have an important role to play in protecting the city’s environment and water.

Filling your pool

Filling your pool correctly is one step in ensuring everyone has safe and clean drinking water. Pools should always be filled using a water source from your own property, such as a garden hose. Alternatively, hire a company to fill your pool quickly using a water tankard.

Never use a fire hydrant to fill your pool – it’s dangerous, illegal and can result in thousands of dollars in damages. Additionally, while the City does have bulk water stations, these are for commercial and industrial customers only and cannot be used by residents.

Draining your pool

Never drain chlorinated water, saltwater or excess pool or hot tub chemicals into a catch basin. Only rainwater should enter the storm sewer system as the water is not treated before travelling back into the environment.

The best way to dispose of water from both chlorine and saltwater pools, including backwash water from the filter, is onto your lawn surrounding your property ONLY if the following conditions are met:

• The water has a pH greater than 6.0 and less than 9.0.
• The water is dechlorinated before discharging.
• The water is free of debris, vegetation or algae.
• The private residence does not back onto a ravine or valley.
• The water can be properly absorbed into the lawn. You must consider the slope and surface of your property and the rate with which the water is removed and absorbed into the ground to ensure it does not run toward your home or your neighbour’s property.  

Leftover or expired pool, hot tub or spa chemicals are considered household hazardous waste. You must dispose of these products at any one of York Region’s Waste Depots. The Vaughan location is at 130 McCleary Crt.

As the owner of a private swimming pool, hot tub or spa, you or any company you hire have a responsibility and legal obligation to safely maintain and operate your pool, hot tub or spa in compliance with the City’s Sewer Use By-law 130-2022 (PDF). Under this by-law, pool water must be safely discharged onto the lawn surrounding your home. Homeowners or the hired company could face fines or other penalties for improper disposal of pool water.

For more information on pool water or chemical disposal, or to report a spill or unintended discharge into the storm sewer system, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca, or the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 416-325-3000 (toll-free: 1-800-268-6060), TTY: 1-855-889-5775. To report a spill or unintended discharge, you can also fill out the online form from the Corporate Compliance Governance Officer’s office.

Want to learn more about the City’s stormwater system? Watch this video on the City’s YouTube channel or visit vaughan.ca/stormwater.

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