Is it acceptable for an electric dryer to vent into a water reservoir?

• A. No
• B. Only if the reservoir is vented to the outdoors
• C. Yes
• D. Only if the water is treated

Answer: (C)

Exhaust from a clothes dryer must be discharged outdoors. Venting into a water reservoir is not acceptable because it doesn’t properly remove moisture and lint from the living space. The humid, lint-filled air would sit in the reservoir or surrounding area, increasing the risk of mold growth, water damage, and corrosion, and the accumulated lint can pose a fire hazard. A proper exterior venting path ensures the hot, moist air is clearly expelled outside the building. If you’re dealing with a dryer setup, the correct fix is to replace the connection with a proper exterior vent and ducting, with a backdraft damper and appropriate termination, rather than directing exhaust into a water container.