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EPA Seeks Comments on Boats' 'Gray Water' Discharges

  • Mar 04, 2010

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comments on a draft report that, when made final, will provide Congress with information it may use for the regulation of incidental discharges from certain vessels. The types of vessels in the study included fishing vessels, tugboats, water taxis, tour boats, towing and salvage vessels, small research vessels, a fire boat, and a supply boat. Incidental vessel discharges including deck run-off, gray water. and other types of discharges may have a potential negative impact on water quality.

The draft report summarizes the primary pollutant concentrations in the discharges sampled and evaluates the potential environmental impact of these discharges on large water bodies. For the draft report, EPA sampled wastewater discharges and gathered shipboard process information from 61 vessels. Vessels were sampled in 15 separate cities and towns in nine states across multiple geographic regions.

Public comments on the draft report, "Study of Discharges Incidental to Normal Operation of Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other Non-Recreational Vessels Less than 79 Feet," will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. EPA will then consider the comments and finalize the report for submission to Congress.

Congress requested EPA to do the report in 2008. For more information on the draft report to Congress on vessel discharges, go to http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/reportcongress.cfm.



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Comments

Sat, Mar 6, 2010 Larry Demmert Seattle

In further reading your study you must have picked the most decrepit, leaky and ill-maintained vessels you could find, today most vessels are well maintained. I own 4 vessels, and none of them discharge anywhere near the bilge water, combined, on a very active fishing day (which we only get 20-30 of per year, so time on water is not everyday). We might pump 20 gallons for all 4 vessels. In port that drops to 20 gallons per month maximum, more like 2-5 gallons per month, and that has to be pumped to a holding facility onshore. As for the copper in fish hold effluent, most vessels have titanium chillers which do not leach copper, we don't paint copper paint in the fish hold or on deck, our decks have to be kept clean and contaminant free as we do deal with food products. As for the number of vessels it is a very minute test, 61 vessels in 9 states equals less than 7 vessels per state and again, they probably picked the worst offenders (the shrimp boat cited is almost sinking at the dock with that volume of bilge water daily, RIDICULOUS!!!). Proof of their lack of picking the true average vessel, these are so skewed it should be thrown out!!!

Sat, Mar 6, 2010 Larry Demmert United States

This law is ridiculous! It should never even be thought of, stormwater runoff from the streets and farms is way more harmful than runoff from the decks of vessels that are monitored heavily already! If we have any oil or water discoloring runoff, the Coast Guard and/or police will warn/cite us in Seattle, we are all watched very closely. Not to mention the pollution by seagulls and sea lions and other marine animals is way more toxic. It is worrying about the least polluters and not about the real problem: cities' and cars' water runoffs, lawn fertilizer, and car oils. Get real and do more about that before you attack the smaller groups!!

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