Pump, Don't Dump
Watch the video "How to Pump Out Your Vessel"
From the Galveston Bay Foundation's Boater Waste Education Campaign
Attention Washington recreational boaters — especially those who own Type III marine sanitation devices (boat toilets with holding tanks) or portable toilets
Dumping Boat Sewage Can Cause Serious Problems
Dumping raw or poorly treated human sewage into the water is destructive to marine ecosystems and poses a serious threat to seafood harvesting and recreational activities.
Dumping Raw Sewage Is Illegal
Boat sewage cannot be dumped within three miles of the coastal shore.
Dumping Treated Sewage? Also Not Good
Even after treatment with U.S. Coast Guard – approved marine sanitation devices (Type I and II), boat sewage remains a serious concern in shallow or poorly flushing waters — especially near swimming beaches and shellfish-growing areas and in marina basins.
Look for this symbol the next time you need to “Clear Your Head.”
Learn to recognize the Clean Vessel Act symbol (above), which directs you to public pumpout stations.
Always use pumpout stations; inform other boaters of the need to use them.
Find out the locations of pumpout stations along your planned boating routes.
Follow these links for helpful information about finding and using boat sewage pumpouts:
Washington State Parks Pumpouts
http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/pumpout/
Statewide Pumpout Locations
http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/pumpout/locations/
The Washington Boater Education Course – Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal in Washington and Federal Waters
http://www.boat-ed.com/wa/course/p4-13_wastedischarge.htm
Clean Vessel Act Program — Overview
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/CVA/CVA.htm
See what other states are doing:
- California: Dump at the Pump
- Oregon: Clean Marina Program
- Texas: Galveston Boater Waste Education Campaign
