Holding Tank Discharge in Washington:

[aginglawyer]

We have gotten differing opinions on discharging our holding tanks in Washington waters. While I fully agree it is best to use land-based pumpouts, sometimes that is really inconvenient.
For those of us with electric toilets which macerate on flushing, it would appear we have Type I MSD (marine sanitation devices). See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/nonpo ... ewage.html which indicates that discharge from Type III MSD's is prohibited everywhere in Washington waters. Type I and II are encouraged to discharge only underway and never in closed waters or marinas.
Then in reviewing this: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/nonpo ... ewage.html it appears that there are actually no No Discharge Zones in Washington waters.
So, on the one hand, we have been told we need to shut and lock our Y-valves and these websites indicate otherwise if you have Type I or II. Does someone have some expertise on this?

Thanks. I am cross posting this in the Rendezvous topic and as a separate topic for general information.

 

[down stream]

Do the right thing, never dump anything into our beautiful waters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So if you are inconvenienced, please tough it out. Find a dump station. There are plenty of them around.

 

[aginglawyer]

Thank you Down Stream. I agree but I am trying to clarify the laws on this. Anyone out there? Allan

 

[Spinner]

Per my Coast Guard inspection from two months ago, you cannot discharge your holding tank waste in the waters of Washington State. You are supposed to have a lock on the valve. As has been pointed out, pump out stations are plentiful!

 

[baz]

I don't have an answer on the WA laws or references you've raised. My advice would be to PM Capt. Mac who belongs to a local WA Aux Coast Guard squadron for an explanation.

As far as I know and have been told WA does not allow waste discharge anywhere in their waters.

On my last USCG inspection I mentioned we had an electric flush toilet but nonetheless the inspector wanted to see we had the Y-valve locked to avoid overboard discharging.

 

[aginglawyer]

Good advice Laxey. Will do.

 

[knotflying]

One word. Airhead. No odor, no pump out, no problems.

 

[baz]

One word. Airhead. No odor, no pump out, no problems.

What about the bodily fluids that surely fill the bucket ?

 

[Todd]

I do not think that the Ranger system will meet the bacteria requirements for a Class I device without further treatment.

 

[knotflying]

One word. Airhead. No odor, no pump out, no problems.

What about the bodily fluids that surely fill the bucket ?

At the most, every 4 days and a trip to the marina bathroom or if 3 miles out a toss overboard. Nothing is perfect and it is all about personal preference. My preference is the inconvenience of the 4 day emptying of the liquid tank versus the other issues I always hear about.