Know Your Yard Before You Dig

Installing a swimming pool is a great way to enhance your property, but it’s important to consider several factors to ensure compliance with local laws. Knowing what’s in your yard — from wells and septic systems to property setbacks — is crucial for a smooth pool installation.

We start with a thorough site evaluation to assess potential issues like utility lines or zoning concerns. GIS(Geographic Information System) software from the city helps us accurately map these boundaries and easements for proper pool placement. If necessary, we’ll request an as-built survey to ensure we have an accurate map of your property, helping avoid surprises during construction. If your property is newly built, some essential information, like well and septic locations, might not be in the GIS system yet. This information is typically found in your property closing papers, so it’s important to review them before proceeding with the pool installation.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

1. Wells and Septic Systems: Distance and Safety

If you have a well or septic system, it’s important to keep your pool a safe distance away. The general rule is to keep your pool at least 50 feet from a drinking water well and 10 feet from septic systems. This prevents contamination and ensures the proper functioning of your systems.

2. Setbacks, Easements, and Property Boundaries

In Sedgwick County, your pool must meet specific setback requirements, including being 5 feet away from side property lines and 10 feet from rear property lines. Easements, which allow utilities access to your land, must also be considered, as building a pool over an easement can cause legal issues. This is a sample image of what these lines look like on the GIS software provided by the city.

3. Electrical Lines: Safety First

Pools must be installed safely away from electrical lines. For overhead power lines, the pool should be at least 25 feet away vertically and at least 10 ft away horizontally, and for underground lines, 5 feet is the recommended distance. This is not always a deal breaker because electrical lines can be moved if you are limited on space in your backyard, we will help you coordinate this with your electrician.

Why We Do Things Differently

At Super Pools we pride ourselves on our meticulous approach to pool installations. By using GIS software and reviewing your property’s closing documents, we ensure the installation is safe, legal, and efficient. Our goal is to catch any potential issues before they arise, ensuring a smooth process.

Understanding what’s on your property — from well and septic systems to easements and setbacks — is essential when planning a pool installation. GIS resources help us map everything accurately, and reviewing your closing documents for new builds ensures no surprises. Our team is here to guide you through every step, making sure your pool is installed properly and safely.