Sewage Discharge Effects
United States Coast Guard Law states - It’s illegal to discharge untreated sewage into all navigable U.S. waters, but some recreational boaters still discharge raw wastes into our inland waters. You might think an 

Untreated human sewage from boats creates environmental problems. Boat sewage introduces disease-carrying bacteria and viruses into the water. You can get sick (skin rashes, amoeba dysentery, and parasitic worm diseases) or die, if you swim in polluted waters. Untreated boat sewage lowers oxygen levels in water, making it more difficult for fish and other aquatic life to survive.

MSDs
Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) are part of a system that consists of a toilet and a sanitation mechanism. MSDs by definition are devices that receive, retain, treat, or hold sewage. All boats with installed marine toilets must have an operable Coast Guard-approved MSD. There are three types (Type III is the one most commonly used by boaters):

· Type I MSDs  (eg. PuraSan, LectraSan) treat sewage so that the discharged effluent meets specified standards for bacterial content (no more than 1,000 parts per 100ml )and contains no visible floating solids. These systems typically use chemical treatment, and can vary in price from $700 to $1,200. Type I MSDs are not legal in federally designated NDZs.

· Type II MSDs (eg. ManaGerm, TheMSD) are similar to Type I MSDs, but must meet a higher sewage treatment standard (no more than 200 parts per 100ml). Type II MSDs are typically found on larger boats. These systems typically use an aerobic & chemical treatment, and can vary in price from $1,500 to $4,500. Type II MSDs are also not legal in federally designated NDZs.

· Type III MSDs or holding tanks retain sewage for shore-based disposal at a pumpout station or for discharge beyond the three-mile limit.

No Discharge Zones
To complicate the matter more, there is a growing number of federally mandated No-Discharge Zones (NDZ), which are bodies of water where no sewage (even if treated by a Type I or II MSD) can be discharged from your vessel. Most inland waters and lakes of the United States are considered No-Discharge Zones. In these areas, your only choice is to use a Type III MSD.
Under federal law, completely enclosed freshwater lakes or bodies of water are by definition "No-Discharge" areas.

Following is a list of NDZ’s:
· Boundary Waters Canoe Area-border of 100 miles of Minnesota   & Canada
· California-11 coastal harbors-Avalon Bay Harbor, Channel Islands Harbor at Oxnard, Dana Point Harbor, Huntington Harbor, Mission Bay, Newport Bay, Oceanside Harbor, Richardson Bay, San Diego Bay, Santa Catalina Island, Sunset Bay.
· Florida-Destin Harbor, Key West Harbor, state and federal waters of the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary
· Georgia/South Carolina- Lake Hartwell, Lake Thurmond
· Lake Tahoe-All waters, California & Nevada sides of the lake
· Maryland – Herring Bay, Assawoman & Isle of Wight Bays, Ocean City inlet north to Delaware state line
· Massachusetts- Nantucket Harbor, Wareham Harbor, Waquoit Harbor, Westport Harbor, Chatham-Stage Harbor Complex, town of Harwich, Buzzards Bay, Three Bays/Centerville Harbor, Wellfleet Harbor, coastal waters from Muskeget Island to Great Point
· Michigan- All waters
· Minneapolis-St. Paul- confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers
· Missouri- All waters except the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and western portion of Bull Shoals Lake
· New Hampshire- All waters except tidal waters
· New Jersey- Manasquan River, Shark River, Navasink River, Shrewsburg River, Barnetgat Bay
· New Mexico- All waters
· New York- Lake George; entire Hudson River, including its tributaries; East Hampton; Mamaroneck Harbor; Lake Champlain, Huntington/Northport Bay, Port Jefferson Harbor, Setauket Harbor, Little Bay, The Narrows and Conscience Bay, Peconic Estuary from west Orient Point to Montauk Point, north shore of Long Island including Lower Huntington Bay, Northport Harbor, Centerport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor, Price Bend
· Rhode Island- All waters up to 3 miles out; Great Salt Pond, Block Island
· South Carolina/North Carolina- Lake Wylie; Lake Murray; Lake Keowee, Broad Creek
· Texas- 24 man-made lakes
· Vermont- Lake Menphremagog; Lake Champlain
· Wisconsin- All waters except the Mississippi & St. Croix rivers & Wisconsin portion of Lake Superior

Boats 65 feet or less in length may install a Type I, II or III MSD. Vessels over 65 feet must install a Type II or III MSD.

The Law
· It’s illegal to discharge untreated sewage anywhere within the three-mile territorial limit
· The Coast Guard can fine you up to $5,000 if you illegally dump sewage.
· You are not required to have an installed marine toilet on your boat. If there is one, it must be connected to a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD).

The "Y" Valve
"Y" valves are used as part of the MSD system to direct waste overboard, into the holding tank or to a deck pumpout fitting. If your holding tank (Type III) is plumbed with a Y valve for overboard discharge and you’re operating within the three-mile limit, you must secure the Y valve in the closed position with a padlock or non-releasable wire tie or remove the handle entirely to prevent the possibility of a discharge overboard.

Additives
The chemical disinfectants and deodorizers used in many MSDs can contain chlorine, quaternary ammonia and formaldehyde -- all harmful to aquatic life. Read labels carefully and take advantage of the many environmentally friendly products now available without these ingredients. Use the amount recommended to ensure adequate treatment.
 
What about grey water?
Grey water is the water discharging from your sink and shower, while black water is the sewage/water discharging from a toilet. In the United States, there are no federal requirements for the containment of grey water.

Conclusion
Clean water is important to all of us.  We can all do our part by following the rules and regulations set forth by the EPA & USCG. This will help make our waterways cleaner, for us and our children to enjoy.

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