Senate Bill 513...No Discharge in the Chesapeake

[Bug Guy]

Originally Posted by reds

Type I and Type II units are really miniature treatment plants that are used in larger boats....

OK, but I'd really like to know how they are better than treatment plants. Are solids broken down, by bacterial digestion for example? What about fecal coliform or chemical contaminants? Nitrogen removal?
Thanks,
Bob

[reds]

Originally Posted by Bug Guy

OK, but I'd really like to know how they are better than treatment plants. Are solids broken down, by bacterial digestion for example? What about fecal coliform or chemical contaminants? Nitrogen removal?
Thanks,
Bob

The units are and have been certified by the Coast Guard since 1975

Basically they work this way.

The Waste Treatment System macerates sewage and then uses electrically charged saltwater to kill bacteria.

After neutralizing bacteria, treated waste water turns back into salt water, with no unnatural or harmful chemicals entering the environment. Raritan designed the treatment tank to force bactericide and bacteria into direct contact, effectively killing viruses and bacteria.

[Skip]

Sorta off topic but related.

When I was shopping for boats - it surprised me how many larger boats only had a 10 to 15 gallon holding tank. Same size as 20 footers.

I'm not talking 25 footers - some were 35 feet long.

Now common sense would tell you that a 30 to 35 foot boat out all day with 5-6 people needs more then a 10 gallon tank. Since most will draw in a quart or so of bay water to rinse the bowl - it does not take long to overflow.
The same boat out overnight - figure some drinking going on - that tank is way undersized.

Other snag is how few and far between pump out stations are.

I used to take a small boat along the docks in Annapolis in early morning to dip crabs off the pilings. Was not uncommon to see turds/toilet paper near some of the huge live aboards. My guess - they pumped over during the night to empty the tank.

[Mikie]

Originally Posted by Skip

Sorta off topic but related.

When I was shopping for boats - it surprised me how many larger boats only had a 10 to 15 gallon holding tank. Same size as 20 footers.

I'm not talking 25 footers - some were 35 feet long.

Now common sense would tell you that a 30 to 35 foot boat out all day with 5-6 people needs more then a 10 gallon tank. Since most will draw in a quart or so of bay water to rinse the bowl - it does not take long to overflow.
The same boat out overnight - figure some drinking going on - that tank is way undersized.

Other snag is how few and far between pump out stations are.

I used to take a small boat along the docks in Annapolis in early morning to dip crabs off the pilings. Was not uncommon to see turds/toilet paper near some of the huge live aboards. My guess - they pumped over during the night to empty the tank.

I would think that when you were taking a small boat along the pilings in Annapolis, it was so long ago that the laws on pumping overboard didn't exist yet. Whatever was going on was legal for the times.

[crabby and son]

No human waste should be dumped in the bay period. We are all guilty of dumping pee bottles over the side and that should stop. I know I will not do it any more. Take it home and dump it in the toilet. EVERY little bit helps.......Gary

[reds]

Originally Posted by crabby and son

No human waste should be dumped in the bay period. We are all guilty of dumping pee bottles over the side and that should stop. I know I will not do it any more. Take it home and dump it in the toilet. EVERY little bit helps.......Gary

If your house is on a municipal sewage system, where do you think the effluent is discharged?

[crabby and son]

Originally Posted by reds

If your house is on a municipal sewage system, where do you think the effluent is discharged?

It really doesn't matter but I am on a well. The Municipal sewer system treats water much better than a boat.When you are in a fight , you want to attack from every angle to win. This is just one angle and it helps..........Gary

[reds]

Originally Posted by crabby and son

It really doesn't matter but I am on a well. The Municipal sewer system treats water much better than a boat.When you are in a fight , you want to attack from every angle to win. This is just one angle and it helps..........Gary

Sorry to correct you, but most municipal sewer systems in the Chesapeake water shed do not treat sewage better then a type I sewage treatment system on a boat.

[crabby and son]

Originally Posted by reds

Sorry to correct you, but most municipal sewer systems in the Chesapeake water shed do not treat sewage better then a type I sewage treatment system on a boat.

I can't argue on this matter as I don't have FACTS. I would have just assumed that a waste treatment plant would treat sewerage better than a boat system. Pretty sad if it doesn't and it would seem pretty hard not to let the boat systems dump IF that is the case.........Gary