Just for Boaters

Do you have a Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) on your watercraft?  Do you know what the laws are for dumping raw and treated sewage into the Ohio River and its Tributaries? According to The Federal Clean Water Act it is legal to discharge treated sewage from Type I and Type II MSDs into the Great Lakes* and all interconnected waterways, the Ohio River and the Muskingum River. It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage from Type III MSDs, but they are permitted on watercraft. Type III MSDs need to be discharged on shore or at a pumpout facility or dump station.

* According to 41 FR 2274, Great Lakes waters under the jurisdiction of the State of Michigan are considered No Discharge Zones (NDZ) for vessel sewage. The State of Ohio is also in the process of having Lake Erie become a NDZ for vessel sewage.

TYPES of MSDs

TypeI: Disinfects waste with a chemical additive or with chlorine, mechanically cuts solids, and discharges the treated sewage overboard. May not contain floating solids, or have a fecal coliform bacteria count no greater than 1,000 per 100 milliliters.

TypeII: Similar to type I except that it treats the sewage at a higher standard. Fecal coliform bacteria count must not be greater than 200 per 100 milliliters.

Type III: These systems include holding tanks, incinerating, and recirculating  MDS’s. They are usually no larger than 15 gallons. Sewage from these tanks must be discharged at pumpout/dump stations. Holding tanks are the most common used on recreational boats.

Marinas

Do you need to find a Marina along the Ohio River? Click here to see an updated list of marinas along the Ohio River.

Links to Additional Information and Facts:

Do you know where you can find a pumpout or dump station along the Ohio River? Click here to find out. 

Want more information about the Clean Vessel Act Grant Program? Click here to learn more about the Clean Vessel Act Grant Program.

Want more information about boating regulations? Click here for more information about boating regulations.