Used water

[NDfar]

When you change water can the old water be used on your lawn, or are the chemicals going to brown it up?  I was thinking of using a pump and hooking to a sprinkler to water the lawn.

[wrobo]

In April, I did my first water change.  The alkalinity and pH were at the normal levels, and the chlorine read at 0 ppm.  500 gallons going into the lawn.  No damage to the lawn.

I think that the important part would be that you be sure that your chlorine read 0 ppm.

Jeff

[Steve]

Exactly what Jeff said! Anything less than .5ppm of chlorine is safe on your lawn. All municipalities have a slight chlorine content to their water as it is.

Steve

[Spatech_tuo]

I always tell people that as long as they don't add anything the previous 48 hrs (assuming it wasn';t a superchlorination) they're welcome to reuse the drained water on the lawn, shrubs, etc. (always a good thing).

[Brewman]

What about Bromine?  I've been draining the water away from the lawn just to be sure.  
Brewman

[Steve]

Same rule of thumb Brewman.


Steve

[wmccall]

Just to jump on the bandwagon, the greenest healthiest part of my lawn is within 30 feet of my hot tub. Been draining it into the back yard for more than 2 years now.

[NDfar]

How about in the Northern climates.  Will the water freeze and cause damage during a winter change?

[wmccall]

How about in the Northern climates.  Will the water freeze and cause damage during a winter change?

It hasn't been an issue for me.  We regularly get rain one day and a hard freeze the next time.  I'm guessing by the way golf courses run, just don't walk on the grass if that happens.  When ever there is frost in the morning, they don't let you tee off till its gone.

[Soakin]

How about in the Northern climates.  Will the water freeze and cause damage during a winter change?

 Yes, it will freeze, and will do the same kind of damage to a lawn that flooding a skating rink does (although I suspect it would be a wonderful way to resurface a backyard rink, the warm water would fill in cracks and level itself nicely. ), plus it will be a potential "slip and fall" hazard until spring.  I would run a winter drain through the house if you can.

Mid-winter water changes are a hassle here in the Northland (I'm in MN), with freezing temps and risks to empty pipes and pumps while the water drains.  I personally change water in late November, then try to make it to March, picking a nice day at the earliest convenience.  If the water goes south on you before then, a partial drain and fill will help freshen it up.

[Brewman]

I'm with Soakin.  I delay the fall water change into late October, or early November, and ride it out till spring.  
I don't want to risk some refill malfunction when it's cold enough for the residual water left in the pipes to freeze.  Remotely possible, but enough to scare me.
Brewman  

[NDfar]

Thanks everyone, it alll makes sense to me!!