Filling a family-sized paddling pool can use a surprising amount of water. When it is time to empty it, pulling out the plug and allowing all that water to disappear across one patch of lawn can feel incredibly wasteful. Paddling pool water can often be reused around the garden. Untreated water may be suitable for established plants, lawns and cleaning jobs, provided it is not excessively dirty or contaminated.
However, not all paddling pool water should be treated in the same way. Chlorine, cleaning products, sun cream and other contaminants can affect where the water can safely be used. Here is how to work out whether your paddling pool water is suitable for plants, which parts of the garden to avoid and how to make use of as much water as possible.
Can you use paddling pool water on plants?
You can generally use untreated paddling pool water on established ornamental plants, shrubs, trees and lawns.
The water should be:
- Free from added chlorine or other pool chemicals
- Free from soap and cleaning products
- Not cloudy, green, slimy or foul-smelling
- Free from animal faeces or other obvious contamination
- Used promptly rather than stored in an open pool for a long period
Paddling pool water can contain small quantities of sun cream, sweat, grass and soil after a day of family use. Established ornamental plants are usually the most sensible place to use this water because they are more robust than seedlings and there is no edible crop to contaminate.
Apply the water directly to the soil around the base of the plants rather than pouring it over their leaves.
Which plants can you water with paddling pool water?
Relatively clean, untreated pool water is best used on established non-edible plants.
Suitable options may include:
- Mature trees
- Established shrubs
- Hardy perennial borders
- Ornamental hedges
- Established climbing plants
- Large patio plants
- Established lawns
- Thirsty ornamental plants in containers
Spread the water between several areas rather than saturating one flower bed. Even plants that enjoy moist soil can suffer if their roots are suddenly left waterlogged.
Container plants can make particularly good use of leftover pool water during hot weather because pots dry out more quickly than beds and borders.
Which plants should you avoid?
Do not use visibly dirty or potentially contaminated paddling pool water on:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Salad leaves
- Seedlings
- Newly planted flowers
- Delicate houseplants
- Plants that are already waterlogged
- Plants growing in containers without drainage holes
Although fruit and vegetable plants need plenty of water during warm weather, paddling pool water may contain sun cream, body oils, urine or other contaminants. Fresh tap water or collected rainwater is a better choice for edible crops.
Seedlings and recently planted specimens are also more vulnerable to chemical residues and sudden overwatering than established plants.
Can you put chlorinated paddling pool water on plants?
It is best not to pour freshly chlorinated pool water directly onto your plants.
Chlorine is used to control bacteria and algae, but a concentration that is suitable for maintaining pool water may not be appropriate for garden soil or delicate roots. Other products used alongside chlorine, such as algaecides and pH adjusters, also need to be considered.
If you have treated a larger pool:
- Stop adding pool chemicals.
- Check the product instructions for disposal guidance.
- Allow time for the chlorine level to fall.
- Test the water with appropriate pool-testing strips.
- Use a suitable drainage route if chemical levels remain elevated.
Leaving water exposed to sunlight can reduce free chlorine, but you should not rely on time or smell alone. Test the water before considering it for ornamental plants.
Do not empty chemically treated water into a pond, stream, surface-water drain or wildlife area. Even a small amount of pool chemical may harm aquatic life.
When in doubt, follow the pool-treatment manufacturer’s disposal instructions or ask your local water company.
What about saltwater paddling pools?
Water from a saltwater pool should not be used on the garden unless the salt level is negligible and you have reliable guidance confirming that it is suitable.
Repeated applications of salty water can damage plant roots and affect soil structure. Lawns, vegetable beds and container plants are particularly poor disposal choices.
Saltwater should also be kept away from ponds, streams and other natural water.
Can you empty paddling pool water onto the lawn?
Clean, untreated paddling pool water can be used on an established lawn, but distribute it gradually.
Releasing hundreds of litres onto one spot can:
- Flatten the grass
- Create waterlogging
- Wash away loose soil
- Turn the lawn muddy
- Encourage fungal problems
- Send water towards a neighbour’s property
- Damage a lawn that is already saturated
Move the water around using buckets or a watering can. If the pool has a hose attachment, reposition the end of the hose periodically so that no single area receives all the water.
Avoid emptying the pool onto a steep lawn where water could rush towards a building, road or drain.
It is also worth moving the empty pool afterwards. Leaving it sitting on the same piece of grass blocks light and air, which can cause the lawn beneath it to yellow.
How long can paddling pool water be kept?
Small children’s pools without filtration or suitable water treatment should generally be emptied promptly after use.
Warm, stagnant water can quickly collect bacteria, algae, insects and garden debris. Sun cream and dirt also build up each time the pool is used.
Official NHS advice is particularly cautious where babies and toddlers are involved: supervise children whenever they are near water and empty a paddling pool straight after use.
Larger family pools designed for filtration and chemical treatment are different. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance for water testing, filtration, cleaning and replacement.
Never assume a cover makes a full paddling pool safe. A cover may keep out leaves, but it is not necessarily a child-resistant safety barrier.
How can you tell if paddling pool water is too dirty to reuse?
Do not use the water on plants if it:
- Smells unpleasant
- Has turned green
- Looks cloudy or murky
- Feels slimy
- Contains visible animal waste
- Has a greasy surface
- Has been contaminated by vomit or faeces
- Contains soap, bubble bath or cleaning chemicals
- Has been left stagnant for an extended period
- Contains a dead animal
Contaminated water should be disposed of carefully rather than spread around areas where children and pets play.
If faecal contamination has occurred, keep children away, follow recognised cleaning guidance and thoroughly disinfect the empty pool before it is used again.
Nine ways to reuse paddling pool water
If your pool water is untreated and reasonably clean, there are several ways to put it to work.
1. Water established flower beds
Use a watering can or bucket to distribute the water between mature ornamental plants.
Aim at the soil rather than splashing the leaves. Watering at root level reduces waste and gives moisture a better chance of reaching where it is needed.
2. Give mature shrubs and trees a deep drink
Established trees and shrubs can benefit from a slow, thorough watering during extended dry weather.
Pour the water gradually around the soil beneath the outer spread of the branches rather than immediately against the trunk.
3. Water patio pots and hanging baskets
Containers can dry rapidly on hot and windy days. Use relatively clean pool water on established ornamental plants in pots, ensuring excess water can drain freely.
Avoid splashing the water over edible plants, flowers intended for culinary use or delicate seedlings.
4. Water the lawn
Spread the water across dry sections of established lawn using a watering can.
If you have a large volume, divide the lawn into sections. Stop if puddles begin to form or the soil is no longer absorbing the water.
5. Moisten a dry compost heap
A compost heap needs moisture for decomposition. If it looks dry and dusty, add a modest amount of clean, untreated pool water as you turn the material.
Do not flood the heap. Compost should feel damp rather than saturated.
6. Clean garden furniture
Use the water to loosen dirt on plastic tables, outdoor chairs, plant pots and other washable garden items.
If you add detergent, do not pour the resulting dirty, soapy water onto plants or into a surface-water drain.
7. Wash muddy outdoor toys
Buckets, spades, ride-on toys and plastic play equipment can all be rinsed with leftover pool water.
This is a useful first wash before any more thorough cleaning that may be required.
8. Clean paths and patios
Use buckets of water and a stiff brush to clean small sections of paving instead of reaching for the hose or pressure washer.
Do not allow dirty water to run into a pond, onto a public path or towards a neighbour’s garden.
9. Refill water-play equipment
Before emptying the pool, use some of the water for supervised water play. Children can fill watering cans, water-safe toys or buckets before the remaining water goes onto the garden.
Water pistols and reusable splash toys can also be filled from the pool rather than the tap. Empty all toys and containers when play has finished.
Can you put paddling pool water in a water butt?
Only consider transferring water to a water butt if it is still clean, untreated and free from sun cream, soap and other obvious contamination.
Strain out leaves and grass first, make sure the water butt has a secure lid and use the water promptly. A covered water butt is important because open stored water can create a drowning risk and provide a breeding place for mosquitoes.
Do not mix chlorinated or heavily used paddling pool water with a supply of clean rainwater. Once added, it becomes difficult to know which plants the stored water is suitable for.
In most cases, using the pool water immediately around the garden is simpler than storing it.
How do you empty a paddling pool without flooding the garden?
A small pool can be emptied using a bucket or watering can. This makes it easy to control where each load goes.
For a larger pool, you could use:
- Its built-in drainage valve
- A length of hose suitable for siphoning
- A small submersible pump
- Several large watering cans
- Clean buckets
Check where the water will travel before opening a drainage valve. Keep it away from house foundations, basement openings, sheds, neighbouring gardens and public pavements.
Do not try to lift or tip a large pool while it is full. Water is extremely heavy, and the weight can injure you or damage the pool.
If you use an electric pump, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions carefully and keep electrical connections protected from water.
Can you reuse paddling pool water during a hosepipe ban?
The details of a temporary use ban depend on the restrictions introduced by your water company. Restrictions can cover filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool with a hosepipe.
Using water that is already in the pool may help you avoid wasting it, but it does not override any local restriction. Check the current rules published by your water supplier, including any relevant exemptions.
A watering can filled manually may be treated differently from a hosepipe, but you should check the wording of the ban rather than assume.
Can you use paddling pool water for wildlife?
Only perfectly clean, untreated water should be considered for a bird bath or wildlife drinking station.
Water containing sun cream, soap, chlorine, body oils or visible dirt is unsuitable. An oily residue can affect birds’ feathers, while chemicals may harm insects and other wildlife.
Rather than transferring used pool water, fresh tap water or rainwater is normally the safer choice for wildlife.
Keep bird baths shallow, add stones so insects can climb out and clean the container regularly.
How can you keep the water cleaner in the first place?
Cleaner water is safer to reuse and may reduce how frequently a larger pool needs attention.
Helpful measures include:
- Positioning the pool away from overhanging trees
- Cleaning the empty pool before filling it
- Placing a clean groundsheet beneath it
- Asking children to rinse grass from their feet
- Removing leaves and insects with a net
- Keeping food and drinks away from the pool
- Following the manufacturer’s filtration guidance
- Using a correctly fitted cover where appropriate
- Keeping pets away from the water
- Emptying small toddler pools promptly
A cover should be securely fitted and used exactly as instructed. It does not replace adult supervision or make an accessible pool safe for young children.
Paddling pool safety comes first
Saving water is worthwhile, but it should never take priority over child safety.
Young children can drown in very shallow water and should always be closely supervised in and around a paddling pool. The NHS advises emptying children’s paddling pools after use and storing them away.
If you decide to retain water in a larger pool:
- Prevent unsupervised access
- Use appropriate barriers where required
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Keep the water properly filtered and treated
- Never depend on an older child to supervise a younger one
- Remove steps and climbing aids when the pool is not in use
- Check the water before every session
Empty buckets, water-play tubs and other containers when the activity ends too.
The simplest answer
You can usually use clean, untreated paddling pool water on established ornamental plants, mature shrubs, trees and lawns.
Avoid edible crops, seedlings and delicate plants. Do not use water containing chlorine, salt, soap or significant contamination unless reliable disposal guidance confirms that it is safe.
Use the water gradually and spread it around. A few trips with a watering can may take longer than pulling the plug, but your garden benefits and hundreds of litres do not go to waste.
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