N.C. Clean Vessel Act
Why Use Pumpouts or Dump Stations?
- Raw or poorly treated sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds and lower oxygen levels in water. Waterborne diseases including hepatitis, typhoid and cholera can be transmitted by shellfish. Organic matter in sewage is decomposed in the water by bacteria. During this process, the bacteria use oxygen. As a result, sewage in the water may deplete the water's oxygen level, causing stress to fish and other aquatic animals.
- Areas most likely to be affected are sheltered waters with low flushing rates, waters with significant recreational value, areas set aside for shellfish harvesting, State and Federally designated significant habitats such as those in Coastal Zone programs, as well as waters designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as "No Discharge Areas."
- Increased sewage acts as a fertilizer causing excess growth of algae, which blocks out needed sunlight for aquatic vegetation which provides nursery habitat for fry or young fish.
Boats with holding tanks that discharge their sewage illegally and carelessly may be pouring large amounts of harmful chemicals in the water used as deodorizers in the holding tanks, such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and ammonium compounds.
Also, floating sewage tends to ruin your outdoor experience.