| Quick facts | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cost range | About $299 bundled with filter clean and acid wash; $650 regular |
| Time | Draining and refilling takes more than one visit; ask the pro for a schedule |
| Who's qualified | CR-6 Swimming Pool Service and Repair covers both commercial C-6 and residential R-6 scopes |
Where can I legally drain my pool water in Tempe?
Nearby Mesa allows draining to the sanitary sewer cleanout with no notification or permit, a common Arizona local-rule approach. Chandler likewise requires no permit for sanitary sewer or on-property discharge, but prohibits hard-plumbed discharge to the street. Draining to the storm sewer is discouraged, though ADEQ's De Minimis stormwater permit program can cover certain discharges without a fee or notification.
Does refilling a pool raise my Tempe utility bill?
Chandler, a neighboring city, does not require you to contact anyone before refilling a pool, but warns that refills can noticeably raise the utility bill. Plan for that jump on your next water bill. Uncovered pools in Tempe can also lose 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to evaporation in summer when temperatures exceed 100°F.
Does a pool drain and refill require a licensed contractor in Arizona?
Routine pool maintenance such as brushing, netting, testing, and balancing chemicals does not require a contractor's license in Arizona. But if labor and materials exceed $1,000, or if a permit is required regardless of price, a contractor license is required. Pool service and repair falls under the CR-6 classification, while building or remodeling a pool is a different class, including B-5 for residential and A-9 for commercial work.
How do I check a Tempe pool pro's license?
Ask the pro for proof of licence and insurance before any drain and refill work. Arizona's Registrar of Contractors offers a contractor search where you can verify a license, such as a KA-5 Dual Swimming Pool Contractor or CR-6 Swimming Pool Service and Repair registration. The KA-5 class covers both commercial A-9 and residential B-5 scopes.
What to do next
- Get a written quote that itemizes the drain, refill, filter clean, and acid wash so you can compare it to the $299 bundled deal and $650 regular price.
- Ask the pro for proof of licence and insurance, then verify the license class (CR-6 for service and repair, or KA-5/A-9/B-5 for building work) on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors contractor search.
- Confirm with the pro where the water will drain - sanitary sewer cleanout is the standard approach in neighboring Mesa and Chandler, and storm-sewer discharge may need ADEQ's De Minimis permit coverage.
- Ask whether the job will cross the $1,000 labor-and-materials threshold or need a permit, since either triggers Arizona's contractor license requirement.
- Call (928) 396-1068 or email [email protected] for a free quote from a licensed, insured pool service professional.
Tempe Pool Guy is a free referral service: an independent contractor does the work and may pay us a referral fee. You never pay us anything.
