Unused swimming pool

My neighbour who is lovely and in her 80s doesn’t use her swimming pool. Every time it rains (which is all the time, thanks La Niña!) there’s obviously more water. It’s currently completely full of rainwater and is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Every now and then her grandson empties it but it’s every few months if that.

What can I do to get rid of the water? A pump? I’m happy to pay if it’s not ridiculous, I want the water gone. Not going to call council, she’s lovely and I just want to help her (and obviously us - my poor kids keep getting bitten).

 

Get a cheap sump pump with float switch and it will empty automatically every time the level rises sufficiently. It will still leave a nominal amount of water after pumping though.

Tools

 

Ozito 350W Dirty Water Submersible Water Pump - Bunnings Australia

 

Great. Do they use much electricity?

 

None whatsoever.

I use one of these:

Takes about 4-5 hours.

Probably cheaper places than this: linky

 

Or you could just overdose it with chlorine ?

 

Pump Spec is 350W and max flow of 7000 litres / hour.

If it was a typical full 50,000 l pool it would theoretically drain in 7-8 hours at an electricity cost of 8x0.35= 2.8KWh (in WA this would be less than $1).

However, the pump shown doesn't look very heavy duty so not sure how long that would last.

 

heavy and expensive! If it were for my own pool sure but probably not a go for the neighbours!

Would have to do this really often as there’s no chlorinator working away so the water would keep going back and keep needing chlorine.

Thanks, hadn’t considered that. There’s an ecosystem forming out there with frogs and stuff… I mean I feel bad but I guess it’s just as bad draining it. I’m thinking for an 80,000L pool I’d need a lot but I’ll look into it

 

Suggest you ask the grandson to do something more permanent.

Stagnant water becomes a health hazard and it is only a matter of time before it is reported to authorities.

 

I would ask the property owner.

It’s her property, not her grandson’s.

 

Chlorine will do it. I'd use a slow release dispenser.

As kids, we used to jump in the neighbour's pool when they were out.

One day the neighbours must have overloaded the pool with chlorine. We quickly got out as our eyes were burning. My vision had a blue haze and I couldn't see 6 metres in front of me. Took many hours to recover. Never used that pool again.

 

It is the arse end of tool companies but the OP wanted a cheap solution and that is it. It will kick in for 2 minutes when the water rises 300mm or so so is not going to see much use.. It will be fine.

Tools

 

It probably is a health hazard already for the 80 year old lady.
OP, I am no expert in pools or associated costs, but just lay a tarp over it after its been cleaned out?

 

I assume these scenario's were by subdivision which is an expensive option.

could another option be a lease, that is if @Hetty wants it formalised.
whereas a survey sketch indicating the site is annexed to the terms.
then just maintain the pool for your own use. (although it could come with its own set of legal liability issues)

however,

this is probably the best option

 

so you did, don't know how I didn't see that.

I tend to agree, I have prepared a few leases for yards (rural) sheds etc, but not a pool.
sounds like a legal nightmare to me.

I think the OP needs to bite the bullet and talk to the neighbour (or son) I'm sure they would understand

 

We have a pool already. She uses her yard to grow fruit and veggies, she just doesn’t use the pool area.

She won’t do anything more permanent and doesn’t seem to see it as an issue. She insists there’s nothing breeding in there. It’s frustrating, she is really lovely and a good neighbour otherwise. I’ll look into that slow release chlorine, didn’t know that was a thing, thanks datto.