Clean Vessel Act

Find a pumpout location near you or apply for CVA funds to provide free pumpout service to recreational boaters. If you already receive funds, you can find reimbursement forms here.

About the program

The Massachusetts Clean Vessel Act (MA-CVA) Program provides free pumpout service to recreational boaters along the coast. The program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sportfish Restoration Program. 

Every year we apply for federal funds to buy or replace CVA equipment for use by towns, cities, and private marinas to offer free pumpouts. We administer funds to over 95 Massachusetts locations to ensure recreational boaters have access to this service.

MA-CVA has funded and continues to maintain more than 78 pumpout stations and 65 pumpout boats along the coast.

Free pumpout service

Coastal Massachusetts waters are classified as a No Discharge Zone (NDZ). This means it is illegal to pump waste within 3 nautical miles from the Massachusetts coast. To support our NDZ status, MA-CVA urges recreational boaters to use free pumpout service.

Our pumpout location guide has contact information to find pumpout service in Massachusetts.  If there is a problem with a pumpout location, MA-CVA wants to know!  Please contact Cecil French at [phone] to report faulty equipment or facilities that refuse to pump out your recreational boat.

Participate in MA-CVA

Towns, cities, or private marinas can join the MA-CVA Program by completing the MA-CVA Application. Applications are due by August 1st for funding the following year.  All funds are based on Federal availability.

MA-CVA participants can fill out forms to get reimbursed for CVA-related program costs. Reimbursement forms are due by July 30 for the preceding fiscal year.

All applications and reimbursement forms should be sent to the Massachusetts Clean Vessel Act Program at 30 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.

For questions contact Cecil French at [phone] or [e-mail].