Why Pumpout?
Pump out, don’t dump out! Boaters play an important role in protecting Puget Sound.
Puget Sound is a No Discharge Zone for vessel sewage.
It’s the law.
Puget Sound is now a No Discharge Zone where sewage from vessels, treated or not, can’t go into the water. Learn more.
Boat sewage can harm wildlife.
When sewage breaks down, it uses up oxygen in the water and releases carbon dioxide, which can harm fish, shellfish and other wildlife. This is particularly concerning in shallow water and areas of low tidal flushing.
Boat sewage can spread disease.
Sewage is bad for human health and the environment. Raw or poorly treated sewage in the water can spread bacterial and viral diseases. Human waste in marine waters can also spread Norovirus (formerly called Norwalk), which causes a severe and highly contagious intestinal illness. Norovirus can survive for months in salt water and become concentrated inside shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels, especially during warm weather.
Boat sewage can close beaches and shellfish beds.
Sewage in the water can force the closure of swimming beaches and recreational and commercial shellfish beds. The Washington State Department of Health has periodically closed commercial shellfish beds near marinas and mooring fields because of risks from boat sewage.
Click the map to enlarge it.