Video: Georgia Waste Disposal

Rob

OK, I don’t know quite how to bring this topic up, but a lot of boats have waste disposal devices, maybe the bigger ones.

Ranger First Class Kate Hargrove

Yes.

Rob

What do people need to know about waste disposal?

RFC Hargrove

Well, you need to know that all vessels equipped with a marine toilet or portable sanitation device need to be pumped out at a pump-out station and not on the water.

Rob

And why should people not just put it out into the water, for instance?

RFC Hargrove

Because waste disposal, sewer, it can cause public health hazards as well as litter, and animals, birds, marine mammals can be injured by this form of litter.

Rob

If you have a toilet or something where you’re collecting waste, you have to go to a pump station to get it cleaned. Are there any particulars about that, that people should know about?

RFC Hargrove

All vessels equipped with a marine toilet or portable sanitation device must have a wastewater holding facility on board. A marine toilet is any device that is designed to receive, retain, treat, or discharge sewage. A portable toilet is not considered a marine toilet. All vessels with a marine toilet should be issued a certificate from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This certificate should be affixed to the hull adjacent to the registration number. Each vessel should maintain a record of pump-outs for at least one year. All trash should be stored in a container on board the vessel and disposed of properly when returned to shore.