While I was chartering in Puget Sound, my wife and I saw a boat at a dock discharge a bunch of stuff over board. I think it was only struff from the sink (dish wash water). I know that there are rules about discharging stuff from the head, but what about dishwater?? Is it the same for inland lakes? Thanks, Shane.
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Gray water?
Shane: I believe it depends on where you are. Gray water discharge is OK in most places. There is a hell of a lot more pollution from the run off from streets and fields than from the gray water discharge from a boat. One place that you CANNOT discharge gray water is Lake Tahoe. I think that there are others.
Shane: I believe it depends on where you are. Gray water discharge is OK in most places. There is a hell of a lot more pollution from the run off from streets and fields than from the gray water discharge from a boat. One place that you CANNOT discharge gray water is Lake Tahoe. I think that there are others.
It's legal to discharge "Gray Water"
Gray Water is "galley, bath and shower water"...it's non-polluting and--from privately owned recreational vessels--legal in almost all US waters, including all but a very few inland lakes. Commercial vessels (referred to as "inspected vessels"), including rental houseboats--but not all charter boats--are subject to somewhat more stringent rules than privately owned boats. They can be required to hold gray water in some waters where privately owned vessels don't have to. I know that's true for the rental and timeshare houseboats on Tahoe (and a number of other inland lakes), but I haven't been able to find anything confirming that privately owned vessels on Tahoe must also hold gray water. I know of only one area of coastal waters where the discharge of gray water is prohibted from ALL vessels--the marine sanctuary off Key West.
Gray Water is "galley, bath and shower water"...it's non-polluting and--from privately owned recreational vessels--legal in almost all US waters, including all but a very few inland lakes. Commercial vessels (referred to as "inspected vessels"), including rental houseboats--but not all charter boats--are subject to somewhat more stringent rules than privately owned boats. They can be required to hold gray water in some waters where privately owned vessels don't have to. I know that's true for the rental and timeshare houseboats on Tahoe (and a number of other inland lakes), but I haven't been able to find anything confirming that privately owned vessels on Tahoe must also hold gray water. I know of only one area of coastal waters where the discharge of gray water is prohibted from ALL vessels--the marine sanctuary off Key West.
Hey Peggie, what about bilge water?
I've seen some bilges that are far nastier than anything I'd ever flush down a drain. Are they considered "grey water" too?
I've seen some bilges that are far nastier than anything I'd ever flush down a drain. Are they considered "grey water" too?
Bilge water.....If my boats taking on water then
I'm putting it going overboard....I don't care WHO fines me...;-).....(its better than sinking)
I'm putting it going overboard....I don't care WHO fines me...;-).....(its better than sinking)
Boat Wash!
I was washing my boat recently. The detergents and chemicals used to wash the hull are probably a serious source of pollution. I try to use biodegradable Simple Green as much as possible. As though that is not as bad. I know an abundance of boaters use softscrub with bleach. Think you would like a drink of that rinse? respectfully, Mike D
I was washing my boat recently. The detergents and chemicals used to wash the hull are probably a serious source of pollution. I try to use biodegradable Simple Green as much as possible. As though that is not as bad. I know an abundance of boaters use softscrub with bleach. Think you would like a drink of that rinse? respectfully, Mike D
softscrub...
Mike: Softscrub w/bleach makes your teeth white and bright<g>. Actually the bleach breaks down very quickly. Ask anyone that treats swimming pools how fast pure clorine breaks down. I have no idea what the rest of the junk is in there but it is something that should be used sparingly on gelcoat (even if it is the non-skid) anyway.
Mike: Softscrub w/bleach makes your teeth white and bright<g>. Actually the bleach breaks down very quickly. Ask anyone that treats swimming pools how fast pure clorine breaks down. I have no idea what the rest of the junk is in there but it is something that should be used sparingly on gelcoat (even if it is the non-skid) anyway.
Bilge water is NOT gray water
And if there's ANY oil in it, it's illegal. Detergent bilge cleaners only hide the evidence by emulsifying the oil so it doesn't create an oil slick...but the absence of an oil slick doesn't mean that any oil, diesel or grease in the bilge water has been been "neutralized" or morphed into a non-polluting--or even legal--substance. There is no bilge cleaner that can turn oil grease or diesel into an environmentally friendly product.
And if there's ANY oil in it, it's illegal. Detergent bilge cleaners only hide the evidence by emulsifying the oil so it doesn't create an oil slick...but the absence of an oil slick doesn't mean that any oil, diesel or grease in the bilge water has been been "neutralized" or morphed into a non-polluting--or even legal--substance. There is no bilge cleaner that can turn oil grease or diesel into an environmentally friendly product.
Biodegradable is a meaningless word
Most people think that "biodegradable" and "environmentally friendly" are interchangeable terms. In fact, "biodegradable" is totally meaningless...just about everything except plastics and metal will EVENTUALLY bio-degrade. It may take a couple of centuries, but it will eventually happen. Even more misleading is the fact that only 70% of the ingredients in any product have to be capable of bio-degrading at all...the other 30% can be as toxic as nuclear waste. That said, detergents are actually VERY environmentally friendly, and have been for nearly 30 years--since federal law required the removal of phosphates and other pollutants. Some (Simple Green is one) contain grease-emulsifying solvents such as butyl that actually make them slightly less environmentally friendly than products that rely on somewhat more expensive emulsifiers (which explains why Simple Green is so much cheaper than most other detergent cleaners)...there isn't enough of any pollutant in any detergent cleaner to day to make the slightest impact on the environment. If you want to know how "friendly" ANY product is, the answer is in the first aid warnings on the packaging. If they say something like "harmful or fatal if swallowed...may cause blindness...call poison control immediately," that product is anything BUT safe for man or the environment, whether it's labeled "bio-degradable" or not. If, otoh, the first aid warning only say something like "keep out of the reach of children...if ingested drink plenty of fluids...flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes...call physician IF symptoms develop," you don't have to worry about how environmentally friendly it is. You can not only wash your boat with it, you can wash the dog AND your child with it.
Most people think that "biodegradable" and "environmentally friendly" are interchangeable terms. In fact, "biodegradable" is totally meaningless...just about everything except plastics and metal will EVENTUALLY bio-degrade. It may take a couple of centuries, but it will eventually happen. Even more misleading is the fact that only 70% of the ingredients in any product have to be capable of bio-degrading at all...the other 30% can be as toxic as nuclear waste. That said, detergents are actually VERY environmentally friendly, and have been for nearly 30 years--since federal law required the removal of phosphates and other pollutants. Some (Simple Green is one) contain grease-emulsifying solvents such as butyl that actually make them slightly less environmentally friendly than products that rely on somewhat more expensive emulsifiers (which explains why Simple Green is so much cheaper than most other detergent cleaners)...there isn't enough of any pollutant in any detergent cleaner to day to make the slightest impact on the environment. If you want to know how "friendly" ANY product is, the answer is in the first aid warnings on the packaging. If they say something like "harmful or fatal if swallowed...may cause blindness...call poison control immediately," that product is anything BUT safe for man or the environment, whether it's labeled "bio-degradable" or not. If, otoh, the first aid warning only say something like "keep out of the reach of children...if ingested drink plenty of fluids...flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes...call physician IF symptoms develop," you don't have to worry about how environmentally friendly it is. You can not only wash your boat with it, you can wash the dog AND your child with it.
Softscrub is anything BUT soft...
Pollution issues aside, the so-called "pumice" in it is VERY coarse (Why do you think it's so cheap? Coarse is a LOT cheaper than fine)...it scratches gelcoat. Fine scratches trap dirt...so you use more to remove the dirt that wouldn't be there if you hadn't used it in the first place. Don't get me started on "antibacterial" cleaning products...the most UNfriendly products for both people AND the environment!
Pollution issues aside, the so-called "pumice" in it is VERY coarse (Why do you think it's so cheap? Coarse is a LOT cheaper than fine)...it scratches gelcoat. Fine scratches trap dirt...so you use more to remove the dirt that wouldn't be there if you hadn't used it in the first place. Don't get me started on "antibacterial" cleaning products...the most UNfriendly products for both people AND the environment!
Antibacterial agents
C'mon Peggy, I want to hear about these "antibacterial" soaps. I admit to using them both at home AND on the boat. if they're not what they're puffed up to be, I'd like to know.
C'mon Peggy, I want to hear about these "antibacterial" soaps. I admit to using them both at home AND on the boat. if they're not what they're puffed up to be, I'd like to know.
A-B Soaps Used Improperly
Few of us know how to effectively use these products. Unlike physicians and other medical workers who scrub effectively, most of us do a superficial job. So, we kill off the weaker microbes and allow the stronger ones to survive & breed a more resistant strain, making it harder to kill off in the long-run. Just using soap & water with effective scrubbing is OK. It allows our body to employ its natural immunity defences properly. --Ron
Few of us know how to effectively use these products. Unlike physicians and other medical workers who scrub effectively, most of us do a superficial job. So, we kill off the weaker microbes and allow the stronger ones to survive & breed a more resistant strain, making it harder to kill off in the long-run. Just using soap & water with effective scrubbing is OK. It allows our body to employ its natural immunity defences properly. --Ron
Frank said it better than I can
In addition to what he said, we've become so obsessed with idea that all "germs" (bacteria) are bad, that we're weakening our own immune systems by not allowing it to produce the antibodies a healthy immune system needs...AND we're blocking the healthy bacteria that nature needs to recycle itself. I'm amazed that environmentalists--who usually go ballistic at the mere thought of dumping "toxic" chemicals into the ground and water--aren't screaming about "antibacterial" products...after all, what else IS an "antibacterial" agent BUT a toxic chemical? How little the buying public understands about biodegradability (which requires bacteria) and anti-bacterials was borne out just recently by someone who e-mailed me asking if I knew of any bio-degradable anti-bacterial dishwashing, boat wash etc products...they couldn't find any. Well...duh!
You can't have it BOTH ways! The silliest anti-bacterial product I've seen yet is anti-bacterial dishwasher detergent. Bacteria die above 120...the heated dry cyle is MUCH hotter than that. The silliest commercial is one featuring a cat on a kitchen counter...cat tips over a bowl of raw chicken parts...germ-obsessed housewife mops up spill with "anti-bacterial" wipe. Just the spill...totally ignoring the fact that the cat, who'd prob'ly just left his litterbox, was all OVER the whole counter. A close second is the mother who sprays Lysol on her own phone after her kid hangs up and tells her that kid he was talking to has a cold. Life does NOT demand Lysol...just soap and water and a LITTLE common sense!
In addition to what he said, we've become so obsessed with idea that all "germs" (bacteria) are bad, that we're weakening our own immune systems by not allowing it to produce the antibodies a healthy immune system needs...AND we're blocking the healthy bacteria that nature needs to recycle itself. I'm amazed that environmentalists--who usually go ballistic at the mere thought of dumping "toxic" chemicals into the ground and water--aren't screaming about "antibacterial" products...after all, what else IS an "antibacterial" agent BUT a toxic chemical? How little the buying public understands about biodegradability (which requires bacteria) and anti-bacterials was borne out just recently by someone who e-mailed me asking if I knew of any bio-degradable anti-bacterial dishwashing, boat wash etc products...they couldn't find any. Well...duh!
You can't have it BOTH ways! The silliest anti-bacterial product I've seen yet is anti-bacterial dishwasher detergent. Bacteria die above 120...the heated dry cyle is MUCH hotter than that. The silliest commercial is one featuring a cat on a kitchen counter...cat tips over a bowl of raw chicken parts...germ-obsessed housewife mops up spill with "anti-bacterial" wipe. Just the spill...totally ignoring the fact that the cat, who'd prob'ly just left his litterbox, was all OVER the whole counter. A close second is the mother who sprays Lysol on her own phone after her kid hangs up and tells her that kid he was talking to has a cold. Life does NOT demand Lysol...just soap and water and a LITTLE common sense!It depends
I don't know about the law but I do understand some of the the biology. Biodegradeable; Most things are under the right conditions. Phenol a powerful disinfectant is easily biodegradable once diluted. Concentrated it will kill most anything and burn your skin!!! Nondegradable stuff is usually man-made and contains chlorine or other halogens. There are many different chemicals in "oil". Some are fairly nontoxic and are used for laxatives some cause cancer. Bacteria come in all varieties and most pose no threat to man. But the ones in poop are to be avoided. But even if poop is sterilized it will have nutrients that cause algea and other bacteria to grow and turn blue water green and scumy. But I know one lake that has five sewage treatment plants that empty into it!!! I doubt that the boats on the lake have much affect compared to the plants!!! Ironically the chlorine used to kill bacteria produce chemicals that cause cancer!!! By sailing we are doing less harm to the world than other boaters. Most outboards spew 25% or more of their fuel out into the water unburned. Even if we dumped all of our oil changes directly into the lake we'd do less damage in a year than a large two stroke outboard does in an afternoon of waterskiing!!! Tom
I don't know about the law but I do understand some of the the biology. Biodegradeable; Most things are under the right conditions. Phenol a powerful disinfectant is easily biodegradable once diluted. Concentrated it will kill most anything and burn your skin!!! Nondegradable stuff is usually man-made and contains chlorine or other halogens. There are many different chemicals in "oil". Some are fairly nontoxic and are used for laxatives some cause cancer. Bacteria come in all varieties and most pose no threat to man. But the ones in poop are to be avoided. But even if poop is sterilized it will have nutrients that cause algea and other bacteria to grow and turn blue water green and scumy. But I know one lake that has five sewage treatment plants that empty into it!!! I doubt that the boats on the lake have much affect compared to the plants!!! Ironically the chlorine used to kill bacteria produce chemicals that cause cancer!!! By sailing we are doing less harm to the world than other boaters. Most outboards spew 25% or more of their fuel out into the water unburned. Even if we dumped all of our oil changes directly into the lake we'd do less damage in a year than a large two stroke outboard does in an afternoon of waterskiing!!! Tom
Effluent
I don't seem to understand the connections, hm. You wrote: "But I know one lake that has five sewage treatment plants that empty into it!!! I doubt that the boats on the lake have much affect compared to the plants!!! Ironically the chlorine used to kill bacteria produce chemicals that cause cancer!!!" I agree, but: Are we to stop the sewage treatment plants? How about all those NO Discharge Zones that force you to "bring it all back home?" You add: "By sailing we are doing less harm to the world than other boaters. Most outboards spew 25% or more of their fuel out into the water unburned. Even if we dumped all of our oil changes directly into the lake we'd do less damage in a year than a large two stroke outboard does in an afternoon of waterskiing!!!" I kind of agree, but miss your point. Are sailors better than powerboaters, or are you picking on sailors with outboards? Do we all sail out of our slips and then back in? If the sewage treatment plants do all that damage, what's a person with a 2 stroke to do? Why are 2 strokes on your hit list? Should people with 2 strokes sign up to join the effluent discharge at the sewage treatment plants? Seems to me you have mixed metophors. 2 strokes are horrible because they put out a little pollution, sewage treatment plants are BAD, but we have to live with them? C'mon, let's get real. If EVERY SINGLE BOAT THAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE WATER NOW all WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY (BOTH power AND sail), and EVERYONE used a 2 stroke engine AND everyone discharged their untreated sewage at the same time, it wouldn't be one thousandth of one percent the same destructive force as one whale poop or one small rainfall from the sewage plants and storm runoff. We ALL have a responsibility to our neighbors and mates, but sometimes this finger pointing and "blaming it all on boaters" is just plain nonsense. And waterskiiers aren't bad either. Soapboxing as superior boaters because we're sailors does the same disservice as calling people "stinkpotters." We're all in this together as boaters, and once we realize that the shore-bound bureaucrats and "evironmentalists" (who never leave their homes because they never use cars and can't bike to work) could easily control our ability to participate in our favorite hobby, will we realize we need to stick together, regardless of the methods or means of our waterborne transportation.
I don't seem to understand the connections, hm. You wrote: "But I know one lake that has five sewage treatment plants that empty into it!!! I doubt that the boats on the lake have much affect compared to the plants!!! Ironically the chlorine used to kill bacteria produce chemicals that cause cancer!!!" I agree, but: Are we to stop the sewage treatment plants? How about all those NO Discharge Zones that force you to "bring it all back home?" You add: "By sailing we are doing less harm to the world than other boaters. Most outboards spew 25% or more of their fuel out into the water unburned. Even if we dumped all of our oil changes directly into the lake we'd do less damage in a year than a large two stroke outboard does in an afternoon of waterskiing!!!" I kind of agree, but miss your point. Are sailors better than powerboaters, or are you picking on sailors with outboards? Do we all sail out of our slips and then back in? If the sewage treatment plants do all that damage, what's a person with a 2 stroke to do? Why are 2 strokes on your hit list? Should people with 2 strokes sign up to join the effluent discharge at the sewage treatment plants? Seems to me you have mixed metophors. 2 strokes are horrible because they put out a little pollution, sewage treatment plants are BAD, but we have to live with them? C'mon, let's get real. If EVERY SINGLE BOAT THAT IS CURRENTLY ON THE WATER NOW all WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY (BOTH power AND sail), and EVERYONE used a 2 stroke engine AND everyone discharged their untreated sewage at the same time, it wouldn't be one thousandth of one percent the same destructive force as one whale poop or one small rainfall from the sewage plants and storm runoff. We ALL have a responsibility to our neighbors and mates, but sometimes this finger pointing and "blaming it all on boaters" is just plain nonsense. And waterskiiers aren't bad either. Soapboxing as superior boaters because we're sailors does the same disservice as calling people "stinkpotters." We're all in this together as boaters, and once we realize that the shore-bound bureaucrats and "evironmentalists" (who never leave their homes because they never use cars and can't bike to work) could easily control our ability to participate in our favorite hobby, will we realize we need to stick together, regardless of the methods or means of our waterborne transportation.
No doz of Planet earth.
No Doz: I really do not understand your hiding behind this ID. Regardless of that, HP (also hiding behind some mask) makes a good point. There are no bigger polluters than the municipal polluters. Between their untreated sewage that they pump directly into OUR waterways and the runoff form the streets there are not enough boaters in the world to create the pollution that these polluters make. The government has found an easy mark with boaters and marinas. They attack these groups because they are easily identifible and it makes very good press. This is not to dimish the fact that everyone should do their part to help keep our river, lakes and waterways clean. If everyone would do their job we would be a clean and happy world. It is NEVER going to happen in our lifetimes.
No Doz: I really do not understand your hiding behind this ID. Regardless of that, HP (also hiding behind some mask) makes a good point. There are no bigger polluters than the municipal polluters. Between their untreated sewage that they pump directly into OUR waterways and the runoff form the streets there are not enough boaters in the world to create the pollution that these polluters make. The government has found an easy mark with boaters and marinas. They attack these groups because they are easily identifible and it makes very good press. This is not to dimish the fact that everyone should do their part to help keep our river, lakes and waterways clean. If everyone would do their job we would be a clean and happy world. It is NEVER going to happen in our lifetimes.
perspective
My point about the five sewage plants on one lake was to gain perspective. We sometimes gnash out teeth a lot about something that has small consequences. For the record we have always used a porta potty and carried the stuff home. Sewage treatment plants are great!!!! Imagine what the lake would be like if 150,000 people pooped directly into the water!!! Chlorine is great. Most diseases are carried in poop. Chlorne kills those germs. BUT the chlorine does produce carcinogens and the water plant further down the river will suck up those carcinogens and put them in your tap. I got rid of my two stroke outboard. They produce an incredible amount of pollution. Again to gain perspective. We worry about a little oil in the bilge. Ideally we put in a oil absorbing pad and prevent it's discharge. But realistically it has little effect on water quality. All of those cars in parking lots dripping oil. A big rain and guess where that water goes. As for sailing I do believe that sailing is the best way to enjoy the water. For those of us who actually sail we do no detectable harm to the environment by sailing. We make almost no noise. We don't fund terrorists. My sport is completely harmless compared to a bass boat screaming around the lake at 45MPH with it's 200 HP outboard. Do I think that people in stinkpots are bad??? Absolutely not!!! Do I wish that jet skiers would stay away from me while I'm sailing or at anchor?? Absolutely!!! While I am on my soapbox.... We can't help but affect the world around us. We are part of the world!!! But we can have minimal effects by treading lightly. We try to leave nothing in the water but our wake. But we are not insane we believe that small insults to the environment are inevitable and generally reversible. I hope that my raw oysters haven't been feeding on poop. I hope the fish aren't full of mercury or PCB,s. But we don't lose any sleep worrying about such things. hp
My point about the five sewage plants on one lake was to gain perspective. We sometimes gnash out teeth a lot about something that has small consequences. For the record we have always used a porta potty and carried the stuff home. Sewage treatment plants are great!!!! Imagine what the lake would be like if 150,000 people pooped directly into the water!!! Chlorine is great. Most diseases are carried in poop. Chlorne kills those germs. BUT the chlorine does produce carcinogens and the water plant further down the river will suck up those carcinogens and put them in your tap. I got rid of my two stroke outboard. They produce an incredible amount of pollution. Again to gain perspective. We worry about a little oil in the bilge. Ideally we put in a oil absorbing pad and prevent it's discharge. But realistically it has little effect on water quality. All of those cars in parking lots dripping oil. A big rain and guess where that water goes. As for sailing I do believe that sailing is the best way to enjoy the water. For those of us who actually sail we do no detectable harm to the environment by sailing. We make almost no noise. We don't fund terrorists. My sport is completely harmless compared to a bass boat screaming around the lake at 45MPH with it's 200 HP outboard. Do I think that people in stinkpots are bad??? Absolutely not!!! Do I wish that jet skiers would stay away from me while I'm sailing or at anchor?? Absolutely!!! While I am on my soapbox.... We can't help but affect the world around us. We are part of the world!!! But we can have minimal effects by treading lightly. We try to leave nothing in the water but our wake. But we are not insane we believe that small insults to the environment are inevitable and generally reversible. I hope that my raw oysters haven't been feeding on poop. I hope the fish aren't full of mercury or PCB,s. But we don't lose any sleep worrying about such things. hp
Where's the logic?
It makes sense to prohibit the discharge of raw untreated waste...but where's the logic in allowing sewage treatment plants to discharge millions of gallons a DAY of treated waste, while not allowing boats--who collectively couldn't put one million gallons a YEAR into the same body of water--to use Type I and II treatment devices? It makes NO sense that boats on the same "no discharge" waters into which it's ok for sewage treatment plants to discharge must put our waste in tanks to be sent to those sewage treatment plants so THEY can put it in the lake--sometimes without treatment if the plant has a spill? Please don't give me the BOD argument...fewer than 10% of boats are big enough to have toilets at all...and fewer than 10% those are big enough to have the power resources to support an onboard treatment device. So 90% of the waste from boats IS going into the water untreated (you don't think all those folks in open boats are holding it till they can get ashore to use a toilet, do you?)...9% have no other choice BUT a holding tank...which means that 1% or less of the entire boating population even have the option to use treatment--not enough BOD to even be noticeable, especially when compared the amount contributed by waterfowl. "No discharge" makes NO sense.
It makes sense to prohibit the discharge of raw untreated waste...but where's the logic in allowing sewage treatment plants to discharge millions of gallons a DAY of treated waste, while not allowing boats--who collectively couldn't put one million gallons a YEAR into the same body of water--to use Type I and II treatment devices? It makes NO sense that boats on the same "no discharge" waters into which it's ok for sewage treatment plants to discharge must put our waste in tanks to be sent to those sewage treatment plants so THEY can put it in the lake--sometimes without treatment if the plant has a spill? Please don't give me the BOD argument...fewer than 10% of boats are big enough to have toilets at all...and fewer than 10% those are big enough to have the power resources to support an onboard treatment device. So 90% of the waste from boats IS going into the water untreated (you don't think all those folks in open boats are holding it till they can get ashore to use a toilet, do you?)...9% have no other choice BUT a holding tank...which means that 1% or less of the entire boating population even have the option to use treatment--not enough BOD to even be noticeable, especially when compared the amount contributed by waterfowl. "No discharge" makes NO sense.
2cents
For what its worth, the wastewater treatment plants (tp) treat and seperate the waste and the effluent water before it goes back in to a river or lake. The chlorine used to kill harmful bacteria dissolves, and if properly used, with the wastewater, isn’t as harmful to the ecosystem as made out by alarmists. I think that sodium hypochlorite is more in use today, due to the fact that it is easier to handle and make. I don’t hear anything about the cryogenics used to siphon off or make O2 for the primary treatment of influent. Is soap really any better for the environment? I dont think so. And just a little heads up, All soap is antibacterial. What does concern me are the people who are put in charge of the TP’s. They are more guilty of destroying the environment and rarely do you hear of a Chief operator getting a fine or losing his license. I guess its because we don’t travel in those circles. My officials in the Raleigh area love to smile and tell you everything is fine and then throws out tons of permanganate and other filter backwash and chlorine in to a direct feeder to the Neuse river, killing all the biota. These people don’t deserve to work for us and cant be trusted. Just land filling the sludge isn’t the answer, rain water leaches into the soil and contaminates the runoff. So I keep the holding tank locked and the marina doesn’t charge to pump out (god bless them). We all live up stream
For what its worth, the wastewater treatment plants (tp) treat and seperate the waste and the effluent water before it goes back in to a river or lake. The chlorine used to kill harmful bacteria dissolves, and if properly used, with the wastewater, isn’t as harmful to the ecosystem as made out by alarmists. I think that sodium hypochlorite is more in use today, due to the fact that it is easier to handle and make. I don’t hear anything about the cryogenics used to siphon off or make O2 for the primary treatment of influent. Is soap really any better for the environment? I dont think so. And just a little heads up, All soap is antibacterial. What does concern me are the people who are put in charge of the TP’s. They are more guilty of destroying the environment and rarely do you hear of a Chief operator getting a fine or losing his license. I guess its because we don’t travel in those circles. My officials in the Raleigh area love to smile and tell you everything is fine and then throws out tons of permanganate and other filter backwash and chlorine in to a direct feeder to the Neuse river, killing all the biota. These people don’t deserve to work for us and cant be trusted. Just land filling the sludge isn’t the answer, rain water leaches into the soil and contaminates the runoff. So I keep the holding tank locked and the marina doesn’t charge to pump out (god bless them). We all live up stream
and Cole, the fact is.....
Cole: You are probably right about this. The other facts are that the sewage plants not only have spill, but when there is more sewage than can be treated, what do you think that they do with it. They discharge it just like the treated stuff. They are suppose to report it (and I assume that they do). The point being as many have pointed out. If every boater pumped overboard at the some time we would be hard pressed to equal just a single discharge of one of these plants. These plants do it all the time when they get up to their knees in S--T. You folks on the Neuse just have it a little worse than some. Between your treatment plants and the ag. runoff it seems to get bad now and then.
Cole: You are probably right about this. The other facts are that the sewage plants not only have spill, but when there is more sewage than can be treated, what do you think that they do with it. They discharge it just like the treated stuff. They are suppose to report it (and I assume that they do). The point being as many have pointed out. If every boater pumped overboard at the some time we would be hard pressed to equal just a single discharge of one of these plants. These plants do it all the time when they get up to their knees in S--T. You folks on the Neuse just have it a little worse than some. Between your treatment plants and the ag. runoff it seems to get bad now and then.
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