It's the Law: On the Water

Discharge of Sewage and Waste

State law prohibits vessels from discharging any sewage, treated or untreated, into the fresh waters of Oklahoma.

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.

Types of MSDs Types I and II MSDs treat waste with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with “Y” valves must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened. Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste should be taken ashore and disposed of in a pump-out station or onshore toilet. Keep our water clean—use pump-out stations For information on pump-out and dump station locations, call 1-800-ASK-FISH.

Discharge of Trash

It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into federally controlled or state waters. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.

• 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 and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances.
• 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 prior to disposing of the oil waste at an approved facility.
• If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act’s law.

Remember when you caught your first fish? Our children will not experience that same thrill unless we keep this country’s waterways pollution free. Using pump-out and dump stations is something we can all do to protect our waters.