SECTION 4: Management Measures

4-87

4.12. MAINTENANCE OF SEWAGE FACILITIES

Management Measure for Maintenance of Sewage Facilities:

Ensure that sewage pumpout facilities are maintained in operational condition

and encourage their use.

Management Measure Description

Boaters are becoming increasingly aware of the

need to protect the environment and of their role

in maintaining healthy waters. Boaters today want

to do what is proper for the environment, and

maintaining sewage facilities in good operating

condition at all times so that they are always

accessible to boaters helps boaters achieve their

environmental goals. This measure is important

because it is the simplest and most effective way

to prevent the failure of sewage facilities and to

ensure their availability to boaters.

Sewage collection facilities, including sewage

pumpout stations and portable toilet dump stations,

help reduce the release of untreated sewage into

marina and surface waters. Boaters can use the

facilities, however, only when the facilities are

operating properly. Nonfunctioning sewage

collection and disposal facilities present a serious

obstacle to boaters whose holding tanks are full,

and in such circumstances boaters are left with

few choices for sewage disposal—travel elsewhere to find an operable pumpout or dump

station, discharge sewage directly overboard, or

cease using their boat toilets. The first of these

options is very inconvenient; the second is illegal

in no discharge zones and legal otherwise only

through an approved marine sanitation device in

appropriate waters; and the third would mean

“stop using the boat” to many boaters. Also, an

inoperable pumpout or dump station at one marina

can create an excessive demand at stations in the

same area that are operable. Long lines at the

pumpouts can result, and these can be discouraging and tempt people to discharge illegally. Finally,

if pumpouts are free to those with slips at a marina

and the pumpout at that marina is inoperable,

patrons will not likely be pleased with having to pay

for a pumpout elsewhere.

Applicability

This management measure is applicable to

marinas with sewage disposal facilities.

Best Management Practices

♦ Regularly inspect and maintain sewage

facilities.

Sewage disposal facilities can be kept operating

properly with regular inspection and maintenance.

Routine maintenance, performed according to

instructions that come with the unit, can be done

by marina staff, with major problems referred to

qualified service personnel. Routine inspections of

marina waste holding tanks and secondary

containment areas will ensure their integrity. If

septic tanks and leach fields are used for final

disposal, the tanks will function most efficiently

and at least cost if they are pumped out regularly

to prevent overflows and clogging.

Boatyards and marina facilities capable of

servicing and repairing boat toilet and holding tank

systems can promote annual marine sanitation

device inspections and maintenance by offering

this service to boat owners. During the off season

or winter storage months, this service can generate additional income for a marina. It is also one

way that marinas can play a proactive role in boater

education and the promotion of environmental

awareness.

♦ Disinfect the suction connection of a

pumpout station (stationary or portable) by

dipping it into or spraying it with

disinfectant.
4-88

National Management Measures Guidance

Although not a practice to protect water quality,

part of pumpout station maintenance is protecting

pumpout operators, whether marina staff or

boaters, against infection and illness. Risk of

contact with bacteria or viruses while handling the

pumpout nozzle can be minimized by providing a

pail that contains water and a nontoxic disinfectant, such as common bleach, next to the pumpout

station. The nozzle end can be dipped into the pail

immediately following each use. Care should be

taken to ensure that the disinfectant solution does

not spill into marina waters. The mildest, least

harmful disinfectant that will do the job is the best

choice for this purpose. Use of the disinfectant

solution can be added to instructions provided on

how to use the pumpout.

♦ Maintain convenient, clean, dry, and

pleasant restroom facilities in the marina.

An effective way to encourage boaters to dispose

of their sewage properly and not to discharge it

overboard is to have good shoreside restroom

facilities available for customers and guests.

Surveys have shown that a factor important to

boaters when selecting a marina is the cleanliness,

condition, and convenience of its restrooms. The

surveys show that boaters prefer to use restrooms

that are

• Clean and dry

• Close to docks and accessible at all hours

• Well maintained and brightly lit

• Free of insects

• Amply supplied with toilet paper and hand

towels

• Equipped with private showers and dressing

rooms

• Safe

♦ Maintain a dedicated fund and issue a

contract for pumpout and dump station

repair and maintenance.

Marinas and launch ramps can establish dedicated

funds specifically to maintain pumpouts and dump

stations in continuous operational condition. If a

CVA grant was used to purchase and install the

sewage station, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

requires that pumpout equipment be maintained in

operational condition for boater use.

BMP Summary Table 12 summarizes the BMPs

for Sewage Facility Maintenance mentioned in

this guidance.
4-89

and pleasant restroom facilities recommended bathrooms attract used, reducing boat toilet
4-90

National Management Measures Guidance