GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
North Carolina Pumpout Facility Grant Program
for Inland Waters
PLEASE NOTE: NO WORK IS TO COMMENCE UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SIGNED CONTRACT.
General
The North Carolina Pumpout Facility Grant Program for Inland Waters is administered by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Engineering Services. The grant program was established under the federal Clean Vessel Act of 1992.
Download Grant Request Form (PDF)
Print the Grant Program Guidelines (PDF)
The goal of the Clean Vessel Act is to make pumpout and dump stations readily available and significantly more convenient for recreational boaters and marina operators. It should be as easy to receive pumpout services as any other common service usually provided at boating facilities.
This grant program will provide financial assistance in the form of matching funds for the installation or renovation of sewage pumpout and dump stations at boat docking facilities on inland waters.
Local permit requirements for pumpouts or dump stations and the specific local agencies that issue those permits may vary from county to county. Exact permit requirements must be determined on a case by case basis by the local agencies that have authority to review and/or issue permits. The applicant is responsible for securing all necessary permits (health, building, electrical, etc.).
Eligibility Requirements
Funding is available to marinas (private, commercial and municipal), gas/service docks and other boat docking facilities in the inland counties of North Carolina. This excludes the following coastal counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans. Tyrell, and Washington.
Division of Coastal Management Clean Marinas
Eligible grant activities include the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance, planning and engineering for pumpout and dump stations, including floating restrooms in the water, not connected to land or structures connected to the land, used solely by boaters.
Eligible grant activities also include any activity necessary to hold and transport sewage to sewage treatment plants, such as holding tanks, piping, haulage costs, and any activity necessary to get sewage treatment plants to accept sewage, such as installing bleed-in facilities. Modification of existing on-site septic systems is allowed provided that such a modification is necessary to handle the additional flow generated by the newly installed, or renovated, pumpout system or dump stations.
Funds will not be provided for the construction or renovation of upland restroom facilities, or the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of on-site sewage treatment, such as package treatment plants and septic systems and municipal treatment plants for primary or secondary treatment. Funds will not be provided for activities that do not provide public benefits or enforcement activities.
Grant Amounts and Match Requirements
The North Carolina Pumpout Facility Grant Program for Inland Waters will provide financial assistance. Federal funds can constitute up to 75% of all approved projects with the remaining funds provided by the States or marinas. Grant recipients must provide a minimum of 25% of the total project cost. The match requirement may be met through a combination of cash, in-kind services(non-cash) and permit/engineering fees. Non-cash match, as well as all project costs, must be fully documented.
Public Access to Facilities and Maintenance
All recreational vessels must have access to pumpout and dump stations funded under the grant program, regardless whether the facilities are private, commercial, or municipal. Facilities shall continue to be accessible to the public during reasonable business hours for the full period of their useful life (minimum of 5 years).
Fees Charged for Use of Facilities
A maximum fee of $5may be charged for the use of pumpout and dump station systems constructed, or renovated, with grant funds. The maximum use fee shall be evaluated for inflation and other elevated operating costs at the end of each year.
Types of Marine Sewage Pumpout and Dump Stations
There are four basic types of pumpout stations on the market. Each type of system has its advantages and disadvantages. Since every marina is unique, there is no one solution that will work in all cases. Therefore, each marina operator should examine their own situation and choose the system that will work most efficiently. The Commission does not promote, or endorse, the use of any particular brand or manufacturer.
- Stationary Pumpout Unit: These units consist of a connector hose and pump which are connected directly to a local or municipal sewage treatment system. The unit is usually located at the end of a dock, often near a fueling station. Vessels access the pumpout station by approaching and securing to the dock or pier. Advantages are convenience, efficiency and speed of use. The principal disadvantage is that the unit restricts pumpout service to a single area of the marina, which may cause congestion.
- Portable Pumpout Unit: This unit typically is a wheeled device, consisting of a holding tank, hose and mechanical or hand pump that is pushed along a dock to the vessel’s location. When full, the unit is emptied to the marina sewage system, or the sewage is removed by a licensed septic hauler. The advantage is that the unit is brought to the boat, rather than the boat to the pumpout station. When full of sewage, however, the unit can be heavy and cumbersome. Since it must be moved from boat to boat, the time required to complete the pumpout operation could be greater than that of fixed systems. Portable units require twice the effort in handling when compared to fixed units.
- Portable Pumpout Unit on Vessel: This unit is a boat with a pumpout on board, consisting of a pump and holding tank. The advantage is the convenience of having the pumpout come directly to the boat needing service. Disadvantages are similar to a conventional portable unit.
- Remote Operated Multi-station System: This system consists of a pump that transports wastes via a main sewer line to a central collection and treatment site. This unit can provide pumpout services at any number of locations throughout the marina. This system provides wastewater collection anytime and combines the convenience and efficiency of fixed units with the versatility of portable types. The disadvantages are that the system must be specifically designed for the marina and is the most costly of the four types.
- Dump Stations: A dump station consists of a receiving receptacle for sewage from portable toilets and includes rinsing capabilities along with storage tank or sewer line connections.