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Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Regulations: Background Information for Marinas

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
The NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into water of the United States.

The Clean Water Act authorizes EPA and states (when approved by EPA) to regulate point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States through the NPDES permit program.  Examples of discharges within a marina facility that typically require a NPDES permit include, process water, cooling water, and storm water runoff from drainage systems.

Pressure wash water is a form of process water.  If pressure washing is used, for example, for cleaning or to remove marine growth from vessels, the wash water and associated paint chips and other pollutants generated by the pressure washing, cannot be discharged into a water of the United States unless it is permitted by an NPDES permit issued by EPA or an authorized state.

Any permit of this type issued to control marine pressure washing discharges is required to impose discharge limitations to ensure that state water quality standards are met in the receiving water.  The concentrations of metals in these discharges can be high in comparison to water quality standards.  Meeting water quality standards is thus likely to require the installation of a wastewater treatment system to comply with the requirements of such a permit.  This approach is likely not the most cost effective option for most boat yards and marinas.  The most promising options are:

• Recycling
• Containment followed by off-site disposal
• Discharge via a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works
• Pollution prevention measures such as filtration and treatment which can be part of a recycling or containment system