NSW Maritime has recently agreed to supply new MIP funding to sewage pumpout facilities to encourage boaters to help keep our waters clean and safe for people and marine life.

Untreated sewage from vessels can pose a major risk to human health and the marine environment. It contains high levels of bacteria and viruses and poses risks to swimmers and the aquaculture industry.

Nutrient levels in sewage can also result in algal blooms and use up oxygen otherwise available for fish and other marine life.

Under the Marine Pollution Regulation 2006, the discharge of untreated sewage into NSW waters is prohibited.

Other measures to manage sewage pollution from vessels include a ban on the discharge of treated sewage into “no discharge zones” and the mandatory installation of holding tanks on passenger carrying vessels and houseboats.

The contents of vessel holding tanks must not be discharged into the water but rather at a pumpout facility. Sewage pumpout facilities are provided by NSW Maritime, certain marinas and councils at various locations across the state.

Further details on the location of pumpouts throughout the state are provided on the NSW Maritime website at the following link:

http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/pumpout.html