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Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive about garden plants. You will find concise information on general gardening techniques as well as plant selection and care. For detailed information on specific plant pests and problems refer to our Common Garden Pests and Problems page.

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Horticulture Questions and Answers

Home  >  Gardening Techniques  >  Soil  >  Will draining my swimming pool or spa on my yard harm my lawn or plants? I do chlorinate the water.

Will draining my swimming pool or spa on my yard harm my lawn or plants? I do chlorinate the water.

It depends.... Large amounts of strongly chlorinated water can cause damage to plants and water wildlife, but under the right circumstances de-chlorinated pool water shouldn't be any more harmful to plants and wildlife that a heavy rain. We recommend referring to this fact sheet from Texas about draining a swimming pool. They state that the chlorine in a pool should dissipate in 7-10 days. Then it would be safe to drain on your lawn. Remember, municipal water used to irrigate lawns is also chlorinated but the level is too low to cause damage to plants. After 7-10 days of not adding any chlorine to the pool or spa the chlorine level in the pool water should be lower than the level in water straight from the tap.