Connecticut's No Discharge Area Program
In an effort to improve and preserve the quality of coastal waters in Long Island Sound and its harbors, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has taken steps to ban all sewage discharge from all vessels into coastal waters.
Since its inception, the federal Clean Water Act has prohibited the discharge of untreated sewage from vessels in all of Long Island Sound. Now, eliminating the release of all sewage from boats, both treated and untreated, will result in further reductions of human fecal waste discharge and, therefore, reductions in nutrient loading and potential human exposure to bacterial and viral pathogens in swimming areas, shellfish beds and other environmentally sensitive aquatic habitats. Connecticut has designated No Discharge Areas (NDAs) in all of Connecticut's coastal waters from the Rhode Island state boundary in the Pawcatuck River to the New York State Boundary in the Byram River and extending from shore out to the New York state boundary. In these waters the discharge of any sewage from any vessel is prohibited.
EPA has approved the No Discharge Areas pursuant to Section 312(f)(3) of the Federal Clean Water Act as amended. Information regarding federal approval of Connecticut NDAs can be found on the
EPA website.
Pumpout Facilities
The DEP Pumpout Facilities Directory can help you locate a recreational boat pumpout facility near you. You can also learn why it is important for boaters to install or upgrade a marine sanitation device (MSD) to be in compliance with the existing laws governing vessel sewage discharge, and find valuable information on how to choose a system, the different sewage system designs and system components available, plus helpful tips for their installation and maintenance. Additionally, you will find information about the Federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program, which provides federally funded matching grants for qualifying projects that provide boat sewage disposal facilities.
Questions about CT's No Discharge Area Program may be directed to Rick Huntley at (860) 424-3609 or rick.huntley@ct.gov
.
Content Last Updated on March 5, 2009
