The gist
At a June 3 meeting, Fulshear City Council approved an ordinance to clarify and strengthen requirements for residential swimming pools and spa drainage. The city previously only had guidelines regarding the construction of new pools, according to agenda documents.
The ordinance comes after council member Abhi Utturkar said he saw pool water chemicals affect native bushes in the area. He said he hopes the new ordinance will help address flooding, stormwater contamination and improper discharge of water.
“[Nature] should be protected areas within our city that add to the beauty and value of our city,” he said. “These should not deteriorate because we want to drain our pools.”
Zooming in
The new ordinance will require residents to provide written notice—by email to [email protected] or in person at City Hall—at least 24 hours prior to full or partial drainage of pools or spas to their own property or to the storm drains, Grants and Planning Administrator Nimra Zubair said. No discharge is allowed within the city’s sanitary sewer, per state plumbing codes.
Additionally, the ordinance requires residents to dechlorinate water before draining.
Moving forward
The ordinance became effective following passage on June 3, according to agenda documents.
Residents who are violating the ordinance can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, per agenda documents. Additional fines can be added up to $4,000 if public health or safety is affected.
