Sanitation Information

NOTICE TO WASHINGTON STATE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM OWNERS


Type 1 Treatment
(Chops up Waste to be Discharged -does not treat)

A flow through discharge device that, under the test conditions described in 33 CFR 159.121,
produces effluent having a fecal coliform bacteria count no greater than 1000/100 milliliters,
and no visible floating solids.
A Type 1 MSD is commonly a physical / chemical type (macerator / chlorinator.).

Type II Treatment
(Treats Waste to be Discharged)

A flow through discharge device that, under the test conditions described in 33 CFR 159.121,
produces effluent having a fecal coliform bacteria count no greater than 200/100 milliliters,
and suspended solids no greater than 150 milligrams/liter.
A Type II MSD is commonly a biological (aerobic digestion) plant.

Type III Treatment
(Holds Waste From Being Discharged)

A device designed to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage,
or any waste derived from sewage. Most Type III's are holding tanks,
but there are also vacuum collection systems, incineration systems,
re-circulation systems and composting systems.

Washington State is a FEDERAL NO DISCHARGE ZONE   Click here for more

Untreated sewage is unsightly and contains disease-carrying micro-organisms from which
swimmers and water skiers can develop skin rashes, amoebic dysentery, and parasitic worm diseases.

Discharging untreated sewage can spread diseases and contaminate shellfish beds.
Shellfish can transmit nearly every water-borne pathogen to humans.
These pathogens cause diseases such as Gastrointestinal illnesses or more serious
Hepatitis, Typhoid, and Cholera.

Organic matter in sewage is decomposed in the waters, the bacteria use oxygen and
as a result, sewage in the water may deplete the water's oxygen level.
Which can affect fish population and other aquatic animals.

 

Example Of Type III Treatment
(orientation optional)

tank-1.jpg

Illegal Discharge

Section 312 of Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), as amended (33 U.S.C. 1322), requires MSD's to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage into U.S. waters.

It requires a certified operable marine sanitation device on every vessel with installed toilets. Installed toilets that are not equipped with the MSD, and that discharge raw sewage directly over the side, are illegal.

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