August 20, 2026, 1:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
A kiddie pool or garden pool provides a welcome relief on hot summer days, especially for children. But what to do with the water when the swimming season ends or the pool needs to be emptied? Is it permissible to use pool water for garden irrigation?
Those who empty their pool often want to reuse the water sensibly. Watering flower beds, lawns, and vegetable plants seems like an obvious solution. However, this is not always advisable.
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Is it allowed to dispose of pool water in the garden?
Before simply dumping the pool and watering the garden with it, ensure the water is not contaminated with chemicals like chlorine. “When disposing of this water, legal requirements and wastewater technology standards must be observed: If the pool water comes from the drinking water supply and is, for example, unused and free of additives, it can be safely discharged into surface waters or allowed to seep into the lawn,” explains the NABU.
Note: Stricter rules apply in Berlin. Here, seepage is not permitted even outside water protection areas. The Berlin Waterworks and the Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment state: According to § 54 of the Water Resources Act, pool water is considered wastewater because it is water altered by domestic or other use. Therefore, pool water must generally be disposed of via the sewage or combined sewer system, such as through the toilet or bathtub drain. If no public disposal route is available, wastewater disposal services must pump out the pool water with a vehicle and dispose of it properly.
Related: When to change the water in the kiddie pool
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How do I water the garden with pool water?
When disposing of water in the garden, it is referred to as broad-area sprinkling. This essentially means pouring out the water and allowing it to seep in slowly. The prerequisite for this process: The garden must have enough space to prevent flooding neighboring properties. In any case, it is advisable to empty the pool gradually over several days.
How can contaminated pool water be disposed of?
If the water is mixed with additives like chlorine or biocides, NABU advises that it must be disposed of in a sewage drain or through the combined sewer system. Alternatively, the sewer system or a wastewater disposal service can be used. “Unused swimming pool chemicals should be handed in as hazardous waste at the appropriate collection points. Gardeners and pool owners should act sustainably and responsibly, ideally avoiding chemical bath additives. The vegetables grown can at least be safely consumed next year from this perspective. Our plea: Stop, don’t just pull the plug!” emphasizes NABU.