GOOD TO KNOW
- Boaters play an important role in protecting local water quality.
- Pollution sources from boats include litter, motor fluids, cleaning products, and on-board toilets also known as marina sanitation devices.
- No discharge zones (NDZ) are designated bodies of water that prohibit the discharge of treated and untreated boat sewage. The Lynnhaven River, Sarah Creek, and Perrin River are designated as NDZ.
- HRSD manages the Hampton Roads Boater Education and Pump Out program that provides free year-round pump outs of onboard toilets at local marinas and residences to help boaters comply with local discharge laws.
GOOD TO DO
- Keep it Clean – Opt for cleaning your boat with plain water or, if needed, a phosphate-free, biodegradable and non-toxic cleaner. Park your boat over grass or dirt to allow dirty wash water to be absorbed instead of running off into a nearby waterway.
- Secure Your Trash – Drink bottles/cans and food wrappers are easily swept off a boat by the ocean breeze. Use containers with lids to collect trash and recyclables and dispose of them responsibly once on shore. And remember, cigarette butts are litter too!
- Be Kind with Fishing Line – Fishing line is extremely dangerous for a variety of wildlife including fish, turtles and water fowl. Animals tangled in fishing line often die from injury or starvation. Look for fishing line recycling containers at your marina as a safe disposal option.
- Don’t Mix Oil and Water – Your boat’s motor can leak toxic chemicals into waterways. Preventative maintenance is key! Find and repair oil, gas, and antifreeze leaks before they become a problem.
- Pump Out, Don’t Dump Out – Always use pump out/dump stations at marinas or make a free appointment with the Boater Education and Pump Out program. They will come to you and provide a pump out of up to 25 gallons.
- Respect No Discharge Zones – While in a no discharge zone, your Y valve must be closed and locked. This is Coast Guard regulated and you could be issued a civil penalty for noncompliance.
- Heed the No-Wake Signs – Wake can cause erosion along shorelines, damaging the natural barrier that filters polluted stormwater runoff produced by landlubbers and their impervious structures.
- Support Clean Marinas – The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) offers the Virginia Clean Marina program to marinas that voluntarily implement best management practices to reduce pollution.
- Become a Clean Boater – Take the pledge to protect our waterways with the Virginia Clean Boater pledge. The Virginia Clean Boater program will acknowledge your efforts to protect local water quality with a sticker to display on your boat.
