Areas where a greywater tank is required

[Jammer]

I note that there are some areas where discharge of greywater (from shower or sink drains) is prohibited. I believe this includes some areas in California, and parts of the Dry Tortugas. I understand the Panama Canal transit includes a no-discharge zone but it is unclear to me whether this extends to greywater.


I have some questions:

1. Is it sufficient compliance to close off seacocks and just accumulate water in the sink basin until out of the area? Or must a greywater holding tank be fitted?
2. Are there other notable areas with such restrictions?
3. Is the situation stable, or does the regulatory climate appear to be deteriorating such that more areas will have rules like this?

[denverd0n]

No, it doesn't include parts of the Dry Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas are a "no discharge zone," but that refers to black water discharge. You can drain your sink overboard all you want. I don't know of anywhere that you are not allowed to drain your sink, your bilge (so long as there's no oil in it), your shower, and so on overboard.

[Calif.Ted]

I'm not aware of any areas here that prohibit gray water discharge into ocean waters. The most restrictive harbor is Avalon where they put a dye tablet in the black tank. On the other hand a brightwork detailer I know was tongue lashed and almost handcuffed by deputy Fife of the harbor patrol last week for getting sanding dust in the water.

[jkleins]

There is a marina on Marco Island Florida that prohibits showers on the boat but I have never seen any other graywater restriction

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

No, it doesn't include parts of the Dry Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas are a "no discharge zone," but that refers to black water discharge.

The RNA covers approximately half the area:


https://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvis...ersion%202.pdf


"Fish or chumming materials used for fishing, water generated by routine vessel operations such as greywater and deckwash, and uncontaminated bilge water are permitted,except in the RNA, where discharge materials of any kind are prohibited (outside of cooling water or engine exhaust)."

[denverd0n]

Okay. My mistake. There are some areas where even sink water discharge is prohibited. I did not know that.


I'm going to guess, though, that such areas are EXTREMELY specific and limited. Honestly, I would not worry about putting a tank on my boat to catch grey-water. I'll have to check the regs a bit more closely in the future, obviously, but having done that, I would just avoid anchoring in the few, specific areas where I can't let my sink drain.

[Kenomac]

Turkey

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Jammer

... I understand the Panama Canal transit includes a no-discharge zone but it is unclear to me whether this extends to greywater.
...

That applies to blackwater, not greywater. Lake Gatun in the middle of the Canal is the water supply for Panama City.

[RaymondR]

Ran into a no discharge estuary on the east coast of Australia where there were oyster farms and there had been a food poisoning scare, the no discharge included everything and as severe and dogmatic as the marine patrol officer was I even cleaned my teeth before breathing over the side just in case.

[Sojourner]

From what I understand Turkey is the only place that now has a law against greywater discharge for all vessels, but it is not enforced. I mean, how could it be?? I'm fairly sure it's only enforced on boats large enough where that could be an option, but even on my 53 footer, there ain't no way I could tank that...

[Jammer]

Apparently Lake Champlain also prohibits discharge from showers and sinks.


https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.o...ing_Manual.pdf - pages 6-7


There is also a requirement to "remove and store" any hoses connecting the sewage system to a thru-hull, though this does not appear to apply to sink/shower systems.

[Mirage35]

That last one is interesting - I’ve sailed on Lake Champlain a few times and have never seen a boat with a grey water holding tank.