Helena Frye
Sewage regulations are some of the most misunderstood boating laws. It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within three miles of the shore. Many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean, but there are designated No Discharge Zones (NDZ) where the discharge of treated boat sewage is prohibited. In these zones, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage discharges on-board for disposal at sea (beyond three miles from shore) or onshore at a pumpout facility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | No Discharge Zones (NDZ) are areas where the discharge of treated boat sewage is prohibited. |
| Regulations | It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within 3 miles of the shore. |
| Disposal methods | Boat operators must retain their sewage discharges on-board for disposal at sea (beyond 3 miles from the shore) or onshore at a pump-out facility. |
| Treatment | Sewage must be treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before discharge. |
| Storage | Boats must have a wastewater holding system or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to store waste and have it pumped out ashore. |
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What You'll Learn
- It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage within three miles of shore
- No Discharge Zones (NDZ) prohibit the discharge of treated boat sewage
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels
- Many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean
- It is illegal in Texas to discharge sewage into or adjacent to Texas waters
It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage within three miles of shore
In the US, sewage discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act, and states can have all or portions of their waters designated as a No Discharge Zone for vessel sewage. This is to protect aquatic habitats where adequate and reasonably available pumpout or dump station facilities are available for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage.
In Texas, it is illegal to discharge sewage and recreational waste into or adjacent to any Texas waters. All boats, including houseboats and floating cabins, equipped with a galley or toilet must have a wastewater holding system to prevent the discharge of waste products into surrounding waters. If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. There are three types of MSDs. Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the discharge.
However, it is important to note that many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean. Greywater is often dumped straight overboard, with no tanks, and compostable material can be dumped overboard as well. Some boaters try to do this outside of anchorages and in deeper waters.
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No Discharge Zones (NDZ) prohibit the discharge of treated boat sewage
No Discharge Zones (NDZ) are areas where the discharge of treated boat sewage is prohibited. Within these zones, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage discharges on board for disposal at sea (beyond three miles from shore) or onshore at a pump-out facility. Vessel sewage discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act. States can have all or portions of their waters designated as a No Discharge Zone for vessel sewage to protect aquatic habitats. It is vital for boaters to know the locations of any No Discharge Zones in the areas where they are boating.
Sewage regulations are some of the most misunderstood boating laws. To be clear, it is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within three miles of the shore. To legally dispose of sewage, boaters must either have an on-board treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore.
In Texas, it is illegal to discharge sewage and recreational waste into or adjacent to any Texas waters. All boats, including houseboats and floating cabins, equipped with a galley or toilet must have a wastewater holding system to prevent the discharge of waste products into surrounding waters. If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. There are three types of MSDs. Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with Y valves that would direct the waste overboard must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened.
Despite these regulations, many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean. Greywater is often dumped straight overboard, with no tanks. Compostable material can also be dumped overboard. Some people try to do this outside of anchorages. On longer trips, people may toss anything that will break down in the environment easily that they couldn't remove before departure, such as cardboard (no plastic coatings), paper, and glass bottles in 500+ feet of water. All is broken up into small pieces before being jettisoned. In coastal waters, all metals and plastics are kept. Offshore, it is common practice to deep six metals and only keep plastic.
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Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels
It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within three miles of shore. To legally dispose of sewage, boaters must either have an on-board treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore. Vessel sewage discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act. States can have all or portions of their waters designated as a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) for vessel sewage. Within NDZ boundaries, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage discharges on-board for disposal at sea (beyond three miles from shore) or onshore at a pumpout facility.
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Many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean
In the US, states can have all or portions of their waters designated as No Discharge Zones (NDZ) for vessel sewage. In these zones, vessel operators are required to retain their sewage discharges on board for disposal at sea beyond three miles from shore or onshore at a pump-out facility. However, even in these zones, it is not always possible to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage.
One way to reduce the impact of boat sewage on the environment is to have an on-board treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore. These devices treat waste with special chemicals to kill bacteria before it is discharged. However, not all boats are equipped with these systems, and even those that are may not always use them properly.
In addition to the environmental impact, there are also health risks associated with dumping sewage into the ocean. Untreated sewage can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can contaminate shellfish and other seafood, leading to illnesses such as hepatitis and gastroenteritis.
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It is illegal in Texas to discharge sewage into or adjacent to Texas waters
Sewage regulations are some of the most misunderstood boating laws. It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within three miles of shore. To legally dispose of sewage, boaters must either have an on-board treatment device (Type I or Type II MSD) or a holding tank (Type III MSD) to hold the waste and have it pumped out ashore. Many cities still dump sewage straight into the ocean, and it is common practice to deep six metals and only keep plastic offshore.
In Texas, it is illegal to discharge sewage and recreational waste into or adjacent to any Texas waters. All boats, including houseboats and floating cabins, equipped with a galley or toilet must have a wastewater holding system to prevent the discharge of waste products into surrounding waters. If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. There are three types of MSDs. Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with Y valves that would direct the waste overboard must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened.
The Clean Water Certification Program under the Texas Water Code has administrative penalties of up to $25,000 per day for violations. Additionally, under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, the violator faces a Class C misdemeanour charge and fines of up to $500. The Clean Water Certification Program aims to prevent boat sewage discharge into Texas waterways, which include all inland freshwater lakes, rivers, tidally influenced waterbodies, and coastal areas out to three nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico.
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Frequently asked questions
Boat sewage is not allowed to be discharged in No Discharge Zones (NDZ).
Yes, it is illegal to discharge untreated sewage on inland waters and within 3 miles of shore.
Boats with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.
Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels, and Type III MSD is a holding tank.
Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before it is discharged.
