Maryland Clean Boating Lesson Plan Section 2 VESSEL SEWAGE

Vessel Sewage: Environmental Concerns Harmful to human health Harmful to human health Diseases may be passed to swimmers or to people who eat contaminated shellfish Diseases may be passed to swimmers or to people who eat contaminated shellfish Harmful to water quality Harmful to water quality Excess nutrients cause algal blooms Excess nutrients cause algal blooms Bacteria that decompose algae reduce dissolved oxygen Bacteria that decompose algae reduce dissolved oxygen

Vessel Sewage: Legal Basics Discharging raw sewage is against State and Federal laws Discharging raw sewage is against State and Federal laws All vessels with installed toilets must have a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD), There are 3 types of MSDs. All vessels with installed toilets must have a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD), There are 3 types of MSDs. Types I and II treat and release the waste. Types I and II treat and release the waste. Type III is a holding tank. Type III is a holding tank. Portable toilets: Use a pumpout station to empty Portable toilets: Use a pumpout station to empty

Sewage: Marine Sanitation Devices Type I and II MSDs Establish a regular maintenance schedule Establish a regular maintenance schedule Do not discharge in a marina, swimming area, over an oyster bar or in a poorly flushed area Do not discharge in a marina, swimming area, over an oyster bar or in a poorly flushed area Do not discharge in federally designated No Discharge Zones Do not discharge in federally designated No Discharge Zones Holding Tanks (Type III) Use enzyme-based products to control odor Use enzyme-based products to control odor Avoid quaternary ammonium compounds Avoid quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and formaldehyde

Vessel Sewage No Discharge Zones 2 NDZs in Maryland: Herring Bay and the Northern Coastal Bays. 2 NDZs in Maryland: Herring Bay and the Northern Coastal Bays. EPA designates No Discharge Zones (NDZ) upon application by the State. EPA designates No Discharge Zones (NDZ) upon application by the State. In a NDZ boaters may not use Type I or II MSDs (that treat and release waste). In a NDZ boaters may not use Type I or II MSDs (that treat and release waste). Must use holding tanks and pump-out. Must use holding tanks and pump-out.

Vessel Sewage Resources For more information visit DNRs website For more information visit DNRs website Know the laws and how they apply to you. Know the laws and how they apply to you.