It's the Law: On the Water
Discharge of Waste
- Houseboats must have a waste-water holding system to prevent the discharge of waste into surrounding waters. Missouri law prohibits the discharge of any sewage, treated or untreated, into the state's freshwaters.
- If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. All installed devices must be U.S. Coast Guard—certified and working properly.
- Type I and II MSDs must have the "Y"-valve secured so that waste cannot be discharged into the water.
Types of MSDs
- A Type III MSD, the simplest and most common, consists of holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste is to be discharged onshore into a pump-out facility.
- Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria.
Discharge of Trash
It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into federally controlled and state waters.
- You must store trash in a container while on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
- If boating on federally controlled waters, you must display a 4 x 9-inch placard (sign) on any vessel 26 feet or longer. It must notify passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.
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Missouri Law Regarding Glass Containers and Trash
The following restrictions apply to any vessel that is easily susceptible to swamping, tipping, or rolling (such as a canoe, kayak, or inner tube) and is carrying foodstuffs or beverages while operating on any of Missouri's navigable waterways. Navigable waterways means any navigable river, lake, or other body of water.
- No one may have or use glass containers within a vessel (prescribed drugs are excepted).
- All persons using a cooler, icebox, or containers other than glass for foodstuffs and beverages must:
- Ensure that the container is sealed to prevent the contents from spilling into the water.
- Affix to the vessel a container or bag, capable of being securely closed, to contain their trash.
- Transport all of their trash to a place where the materials may be disposed of safely and lawfully.
- Safely secure any glass containers to prevent breaking or falling overboard.
Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous
Substances
- It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances into the water.
- You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
- You must dispose of oil waste at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate for temporary storage.
- If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard near the bilge pump control station stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.
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