Where does the water go when you backwash a pool?

In unsewered regions, backwash water is to be discharged to a grassed, vegetated or garden area, or a stone-filled trench either open to the surface or underground (similar to a septic tank absorption field).
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Do you lose water when you backwash a pool?

The backwashing of a typical Olympic-sized pool results in the loss of about 6,300 gallons of water per backwashing cycle, according to Recreation Management. As a result, don't add chemicals to your water until after you've backwashed — otherwise, you're just throwing money down the drain… literally.
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What happens when you backwash a pool?

The process of backwashing dislodges trapped debris and contaminants, flushing them out through your value's waste line or a hose that is connected to the pool pump. When the filter media is clean, the pressure gauge is lower and water can easily flow in and out of the system.
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Where does drain pool water go?

During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool. The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants toward them.
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Can I backwash my pool into the sewer?

Pool filters cannot be backwashed into a storm drain in most municipalities. Most local regulations require backwashing into the home's sanitary sewer line, instead.
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#PoolGuys - How to Backwash a Filter



Can I backwash my pool into the street?

THE SANITARY SEWER

You can also drain or backwash your pool into your home's sanitary sewer cleanout. If backwashing into the sewer cleanout, do not allow the passage of soil, sediment, rock, sand, debris or other solid material during the discharge.
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How long do you rinse after backwashing a pool?

Rinse the filter for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass is clear. NOTE: Any electric heater must be off.
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Does pool backwash hurt grass?

Most owners will say pool water has been just fine on their grass. There are at times a few exceptions, extremely arid locations, or perhaps because of the specific type of grass in that spot, but usually it has no negative effects - other than making it grow faster.
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How long should you backwash your pool?

Turn on the pump and allow the sand filter to backwash for 2-3 minutes or until the water in the sight glass (typically located on the top of the filter) is visibly clear. How long you backwash the sand filter for is not critical though you should visibly see clear water within 2-3 minutes.
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How much water comes out when you backwash a pool?

Each time you backwash, you use 250–1,000 gallons of water, depending on your pool and equipment size. When backwashing your filter, keep an eye on the color and quality of the water, and stop the backwash process as soon as you can.
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Does backwashing lower the water level?

For inground pools with a sand or DE filter, the easiest way to quickly lower the water level is to place the multiport valve into the waste position and roll out the backwash hose. If instead, you have a slide (push-valve), backwash the filter to lower the water level.
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How much water is lost when backwashing a pool?

Backwashing can take only a few minutes to complete, but for a typical pool, it consumes approximately 200 to 300 gallons of pool water! So, while your filter is losing unwanted dirt and debris—your pool is losing a ton of water. And that's for a single backwash.
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What's the difference between rinse and backwash?

Rinse runs water in the same direction that normal filtering does. Backwash runs it through the sand in the opposite direction. Rinse is to clear any dirt out of the clean side of the sand before you start sending it back to the pool.
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Why do I have to backwash my pool every day?

"Why do we need to backwash?" - Similar to a vacuum cleaner, air conditioner filter, or your kid's bedrooms, your pool filter collects dirt! Whenever the filter fills up with the dirt/debris it reduces the flow of water to your pool. Low flow = poor circulation which will lead to algae in the pool.
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Do you vacuum a pool on backwash or waste?

If you do have this option, it is highly recommended that whenever you have algae, you will need to vacuum to waste. This option allows you to vacuum the algae up and send it out through the backwash line, avoiding getting algae into your filter sand.
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Can I use pool water to water my lawn?

Water drained from a pool or spa is safe to use for watering lawns or plants, or for any purpose “gray water” uses would be appropriate. It is environmentally correct to recycle water especially when drought restrictions are in effect.
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Can I water plants with pool water?

A: It's a waste, but fresh pool water is not safe for irrigating plants. It's because the chlorine in pool water is very toxic to plants. If the chlorine level is low enough, it's possible to use it. Chlorine is a great disinfectant and used for killing human pathogens associated with food crops such as E.
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What happens if you dont rinse after backwashing?

Then you rinse to help settle the sand and flush the last bit of crud and dust down the drain not back into your pool. if you don't rinse you will see cloudy water coming out of the jets for the first 30 seconds or so when u turn the filter back on.
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What is the difference between backwash and waste on a pool filter?

Drain/Waste: Opting the drain or waste setting will remove pool water without forcing it through the filter. Backwash: This clears out any debris, dirt and other contaminants that may have accumulated on the filter. Closed: if you choose this setting, then the flow of water to the pool and filter will be stopped.
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Should you backwash or rinse first?

The 'Rinse' setting should be used after backwashing and again run just for a minute or two. On this setting the water is flowing through the filter in the normal direction but once again is being sent to the waste pipe rather than being returned to the pool.
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Can pool water be drained into the sewer system?

Saltwater swimming pools and spas are prohibited and illegal to be drained to the storm drain system/street or sanitary sewer system. Local creeks and rivers are very sensitive to salt concentrations and discharges can cause serious damage and even kill plants and animals downstream.
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Can you drain your pool into the sewer line?

How to drain your swimming pool You may need to drain a fraction of your water to improve water quality or make repairs. codes and you could be cited for water waste. Draining your pool into the sewer system allows water to be treated and reused. If you have a septic tank, do not drain your pool into the tank.
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Why do you recirculate on pool filter?

The Recirculate setting allows water to move through the filter without going through the filter media. Note: You can also use the Waste setting for this if you'd rather completely remove the dirty water rather than recirculate it back into the pool.
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What is the backwash setting on a pool filter?

What Is Backwashing? The backwashing process reverses the flow of water to flush out contaminants from a swimming pool filter. It should be carried out until water runs clear through the waste line.
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