Holding tank dumping Question

[Steve]

I'm well aware of the 3 mile dump limit and I'm careful to make sure I'm out 3 miles before I dump, or most of the time we pump out.But I ws wondering, if I want to "flush out" the tank with fresh water through the macerator from time to time AFTER the tank has been emptied of waste, do we still need to use the 3 mile rule? Courious in Chula Vista

 

[Bryan]

doesn't matter

My friends at the Coast Guard say, It doesn't matter that there is only fresh water in your holding. The fact that it is in your "Holding" tank makes it waste and you must follow the rules for disposal. You can refill or flush your holding after you pump out and re-pump out right then to keep everything fresh, then add your treatment.

 

[Tony]

Drinkable ???

I would have thought the 3 mile rule would still apply, unless of course there is no waste to flush off the sides of holding tank and the water flushed out would be drinkable !!Or you could decide if you would swim in the water that is flushing out of your holding tank !Probably not.Tony

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

The answer to your question is, yes

However, it doesn't have anything to do with which tank you're dumping--it's illegal to discharge waste from any source inside the "3 mile limit." To rinse out your tank after pumpout, add a gallon or two of water down the deck pumpout fitting (which sends the water into the tank at the bottom to stir up any sludge), pump out...repeat...repeat...till the water being pumped out is clean. Dump the last gallon or two at sea to rinse out the macerator.If you have a sea water washdown pump, you can do the whole job at sea through the macerator.