"No Discharge Zones" in Region 5

“No Discharge Zones” are designated bodies of waters that prohibit the discharge of treated and untreated boat sewage. Completely enclosed freshwater lakes or bodies of water are by definition “No Discharge” areas, therefore all inland lakes are “No discharge” zones within Region 5. Because “No Discharge” zone waters have greater environmental protection, even vessels with Type I or II Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) are prohibited from discharging treated sewage into these areas and they must be properly secured to ensure that sewage discharge will be prevented (i.e., closed seacock and padlock).

To check for designated No Discharge Zones in Region 5 waters, choose a state below.

Michigan | Minnesota | Ohio | Wisconsin
Illinois | Indiana

Click on the map above for a larger size. This map should not be used as a navigation aid.

For national information, visit: Designated No Discharge Zones in others U.S. areas (outside of Region 5).

Rules and Regulations:

Contacts:

The Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes the designation of “no discharge zones” (NDZs). In a NDZ, all vessels are prohibited from discharging sewage, whether treated or not. The CWA provides 3 different procedures for designating NDZs:

• under § 312(f)(4)(B), upon application by a State, EPA can designate a NDZ for a drinking water intake zone;

• under § 312(f)(3) a State can create a NDZ if it determines that certain waters warrant greater environmental protection and EPA determines that adequate pumpout facilities exist; and

• under § 312(f)(4)(A), upon application by a State, EPA can create a NDZ if it determined that certain waters warrant greater environmental protection.

For more information on "No Discharge Zones," please contact:
Irvin Dzikowski
(dzikowski.irvin@epa.gov)
312-886-6100

Related Links:

Tips to eco-friendly boating

ILLINOIS and INDIANA

Illinois and Indiana do not currently have any designated or proposed “No Discharge” Zones.

For more information on waste disposal from watercrafts in Illinois see: Title 35 Part 308

For more information on waste disposal from watercrafts in Indiana see: IC 14-15-2-7

"No Discharge Zones" in Region 5

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