Boating Western Australia Inc.
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Australian Boating Public
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• Managing Sewage Waste in Canada • PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION of MSD TYPE II • POLICY GUIDANCE FOR MARINE SANITATION DEVICE ACCEPTANCE • What is a sewage pump-out station, how does it work, and how should a broken pump-out station be reported?
• What is a sewage dump station?
• Why is the discharge of boat sewage a problem?
• What is gray water?
• What is the Clean Vessel Act?
• How much is a marina permitted to charge for a pump-out with a CVA funded pump-out station?
• What is a Marine Sanitation Device?
• What are the different types of marine sanitation devices (MSD's)?
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 | This system breaks up the sewage and disinfects it with chemicals, then discharges the treated sewage overboard. Note: there, are growing concerns about the environmental effects of the chemicals used in these devices. |
Marine Sanitation Device - (MSD) Type II.
| This is a more sophisticated and more expensive system than Type 1. It treats the raw sewage to a higher degree through maceration and biological decomposition. |
Marine Sanitation Device - (MSD) Type III.
| This is a system with a holding tank that can store untreated sewage until you can dispose of it properly at a pump-out station. It is acceptable to add deodorizers. Installation cost for a holding tank is usually less than $1500. |
Portable self-contained toilet.
| If your boat doesn't have an installed toilet, you should consider using a portable one, commonly referred to as a "port-a-potty". It should be emptied at a pump-out station or proper disposal site. |
Over the side.
| If your boat discharges sewage directly overboard, you are required to comply with local pollution prevention regulations which may prohibit the use of a toilet in restricted waters. As a matter of common courtesy, do not use these toilet facilities while moored or while in anchorages, swimming areas, and harbours. |
Holding Tanks
Holding tanks are a good idea, but they require pump-out facilities ashore. If
possible, avoid disinfectants, which usually contain harsh chemicals.
Tips for Pumping Out
| Follow pump-out instructions |
| If instructions aren't posted, ask. |
| After you finish pumping out, rinse water through the system. |
| Only pump out your holding tank. |
| Turn off the pump when you are finished. |
Taking Charge of Sewage waste
| Upgrade your marine sanitation devices, if required. |
| Use your sanitation device with discretion. |
| Encourage your marine or yacht club to install a pump-out service. |
| Educate others about their use of marine sanitation devices. |
| Don't pump your sewage overboard in anchorages, marinas, or swimming areas. |
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION of MSD TYPE II
TREATMENT PRINCIPLE
Type II Marine Sanitation Device is a biological aerobic (bacteria and air) sewage treatment system. Liquid and solid wastes are removed from the water by bacteria naturally contained in sewage.
consists of three treatment stages; aeration, clarification, and disinfection. In the aeration chamber (stage 1), the bacteria grow and multiply using the sewage as their food supply. This action reduces the quantity and size of the solid matter. In the clarification chamber (stage 2), the bacterial floc is separated from the treated solid matter. The treated water is clear and free from solids, however, the liquid must be disinfected prior to discharge overboard to kill any disease-causing bacteria. Disinfection is accomplished in the clarification chamber (stage 3).
Flow through these three stages is caused by direct displacement. When new sewage flows into the aeration chamber, an equal volume flows through the clarification chamber. This volume, in turn, displaces an equal volume from the clarification chamber into the disinfection chamber, and overboard. No internal sewage pumps are necessary.
AERATION
Sewage is aerated as soon as it enters the treatment system, and mixes with the aeration liquid already in the aeration chamber. Plastic non-clog diffusers inject air near the bottom of the aeration chamber so that the sewage remains in a state of aerobic decomposition. This aerated liquid contains the bacterial sludge that reacts with the sewage to start the reduction process. The movement created by the injected air helps mix the sewage with the bacterial sludge and prevents sludge and sewage solids from settling to the bottom. The air discharged from the surface of the liquid in the aeration chamber is vented to the atmosphere through a vent line connection.
CLARIFICATION
The liquid displaced from the aeration chamber flows into the clarification chamber for further treatment. Some of the suspended material will settle out into the chamber below, where it will be returned to the aeration chamber. The remaining sludge and waste material is removed as the liquid flows upwards through the biological filter media. Bacteria grow on the surface of the media and produce a sticky, slimy film that traps small particles of waste. The trapped waste is then consumed by the bacteria on the surface of the filter media. By the time the liquid reaches the top of the biological filter, it has passed by several layers of bacteria, ensuring that the sludge and waste removal process is completed. Clear water accumulates here until it is displaced into the discharge line, and the disinfection chamber.
DISINFECTION
The water flowing out the discharge line of the clarification chamber is collected in the disinfection chamber (chlorine contact chamber), where disinfecting chlorine tablets are located. In this chamber, the water mixes with the disinfectant for a residence time sufficient to complete the disinfection stage of the treatment process.
DISCHARGE
The clear disinfected waste water is then discharged overboard, or sent to a holding tank (for use in No Discharge Zones) for later discharge. When directly discharged overboard, the disinfected waste water flows from the disinfection chamber through a gravity discharge connection to overboard. If desired, the treated liquid can be retained in a holding tank, for later discharge, when the system is used as a Type III unit.
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Commandant United States Coast Guard |
2100
Second Street, S. W. Washington, DC 20593-0001 Staff Symbol: G-MSE-3 Phone: (202) 267-2206 FAX: (202) 267-4816 |
16714/159.015 January 6, 1999
To: Manufacturers of Marine Sanitation Devices
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78), requires ships to be fitted with certain pollution prevention equipment which is designed based on the performance and test specifications of a number of International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolutions. A Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) is issued an IMO Certificate of Type Test if it complies with IMO resolution MEPC.2(VI), Recommendation on International Effluent Standards and Guidelines for Performance Tests for Sewage Treatment Plants. A MSD is issued a letter of certification if it complies with United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations.
A vessel operating in U. S. waters is not required to have a USCG accepted MSD if the vessel is not under U. S. registry. We will accept foreign flag vessels that have installed MSDs with a Certificate of Type Test indicating compliance with the requirements of MEPC.2(VI). The Certificate of Type Test must be issued by or on behalf of a government which is party to the MARPOL convention. A device meeting the testing requirements of MEPC.2(VI) will be considered as equivalent to a Coast Guard certified Type II MSD as long as the unit is in good and serviceable condition. However, such a device shall not be marked as USCG accepted based upon its compliance with MEPC.2(VI). It is only necessary to submit a MSD for review by the USCG if the device is intended for installation onboard a U. S. registered vessel.
The USCG is responsible for certification of MSDs used on U. S. registered vessels operating in U. S. waters. In order to receive USCG acceptance for installation on these vessels, a MSD must comply with the design and testing criteria of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 159. The device shall be tested at an independent laboratory that complies with 46 CFR 159.010. The USCG maintains a listing of accepted laboratories, however, the manufacturer may request any independent facility to submit an application to the USCG for acceptance to perform testing.
A MSD complying with 33 CFR 159 is accepted for manufacture and installation onboard U. S. uninspected vessels. If, in addition to 33 CFR, Part 159, the MSD is also designed and constructed to comply with the applicable USCG marine engineering and electrical regulations, 46 CFR, Subchapters F and J, it will be accepted for manufacture and installation on U. S. inspected vessels. A USCG accepted MSD manufacturer receives a letter of certification, not a Certificate of Type Test. In addition, each USCG accepted MSD shall be marked as certified with the information as prescribed by 33 CFR 159.55.
The United States has not ratified Annex IV of MARPOL, Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Sewage, however, the USCG will, for U. S. manufacturers of MSDs, issue a Certificate of Type Test on behalf of IMO in accordance with MEPC.2(VI). Again, all testing must be performed by a USCG accepted independent laboratory.
After USCG review and approval, each accepted MSD model is designated a unique approval number. The approval number issued to each model is normally valid for 5 years and is recorded on the IMO Certificate of Type Test or in the letter of certification. If the manufacturer ceases to manufacture an accepted device, USCG acceptance will be withdrawn. The expiration date on the Certificate of Type Test or a letter of certification applies only to the manufacturer, not to the equipment. A MSD manufactured following the expiration date is not USCG accepted. However, devices manufactured within the valid acceptance period may be used onboard vessels as long as they are designed to comply with current environmental standards and are in good and serviceable condition.
Sincerely,
P. A. RICHARDSON
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard
Chief, Systems Engineering Division
Office of Design and Engineering Standards
By direction of the Commandant
CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 159--MARINE SANITATION DEVICES Link to US Coast Guard's detailed policy's.
Heads or Marine Sanitation
Devices