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No Discharge Zones
National Information
- No-Discharge Zones for Vessel Sewage
- No-Discharge Zone Evaluation
- Marine Sanitation Devices
- Frequent Questions
- Partners/Links
- No Discharge Zones – How They Work
- Protecting Our Waterways
- Using Your Head to Help Protect Our Aquatic Resources
- GAO Report - Program Enhancements Would Better Ensure Adequacy of Boat Pumpout Facilities in No-Discharge Zones (PDF) (51 pp, 2.6MB, About PDF)
Related Mid-Atlantic Information
A No Discharge Zone is an area of a waterbody or an entire waterbody into which the discharge of sewage (whether treated or untreated) from all vessels is completely prohibited. There are four No Discharge Zones in EPA's mid-Atlantic Region, two in Maryland and 2 in Virginia. These zones are designed to give states an additional tool to address water quality issues associated with sewage contamination.
Vessel sewage discharge is regulated under Section 312 of the Clean Water Act. States can have all or portions of their waters designated as a no discharge zone for vessel sewage to:
- protect aquatic habitats where adequate and reasonably available pumpout or dump station facilities are available for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage;
- protect special aquatic habitats or species [the state does not have to show that there are reasonably available pump-out or dump stations]; and
- safeguard human health by protecting drinking water intake zones [the state does not have to show that there are reasonably available pump-out or dump stations].
Mid-Atlantic Contact:
Edward Ambrogio (ambrogio.edward@epa.gov)
US EPA Region 3 (3WP10)
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-814-2758
Chesapeake Bay Creeks Designated as No Discharge Zones — The Commonwealth of Virginia applied on December 8, 2008 for a no discharge zone designation for the Broad Creek, Jackson Creek, and Fishing Bay Watersheds in Middlesex County, VA (near Deltaville in western shore waters of the Chesapeake Bay), pursuant to Section 312(f)(3) of the Clean Water Act. On August 20, 2009, a Federal Register notice was published formally establishing the no discharge zone. The discharge of sewage from vessels into these water bodies is now prohibited and the Commonwealth of Virginia can begin to enforce this prohibition. Under the Clean Water Act and accompanying regulations, EPA has the authority to prohibit the discharge of sewage from vessels into waters that require greater environmental protection than the applicable Federal standard. Following a review of the December 8 application, publication of a tentative approval in the Federal Register on June 4, 2009, and a 30-day public comment period (no comments received), EPA made a final affirmative determination approving the designation.
