Boat sewage can contain bacteria and viruses, nutrients, and chemicals that can be harmful to water quality and public health. Even small quantities of microorganisms from boat sewage can introduce diseases like hepatitis to people in contact with the water, and can contaminate shellfish and make them unsuitable for human consumption. Boat sewage, even when treated by on-board sanitation devices, also contains high quantities of nitrogen. Nitrogen fuels the growth of algae—creating water quality and clarity problems in sensitive coastal waters. Finally, the chemicals used in some boat heads are toxic to marine life.

A statewide NDA directly addresses these human health and environmental concerns. To help make this coast-wide boat sewage ban a reality, CZM is working with coastal communities to increase boat pumpout facilities so that proper sewage disposal is more convenient for the boating public. In addition, CZM is coordinating efforts among municipal officials, harbormasters, and nonprofit organizations as they develop applications to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for no discharge status of their coastal waters.

See www.mass.gov/czm/nda for details on NDAs, and for more on where you can find a boat pumpout facility, see www.mass.gov/czm/nda/pumpouts.