Watershed Management Bureau

  New Hampshire's Clean Vessel Act Program

    Frequently Asked Questions

First of all, it is the law. Second, it is the right thing to do. Boaters often discharge untreated sewage directly overboard. Now is the time to stop this practice and use pumpout and dump stations.

The argument that boat sewage is minor compared to other sources of pollution is weak.

• Raw sewage from a holding tank is much more concentrated and biologically active than treated waste released from sewage treatment facilities.

• Raw sewage from boats can contain disease-carrying bacteria that can transmit diseases to swimmers and cause closure of shellfish beds.

• Government grant money is funding a tremendous increase in the number of pumpout and dump stations.

• Most marinas and mooring fields are situated in waters that have slow moving water and are shallow. Boats are concentrated in these environmentally sensitive areas.

• Government and citizens' groups are working aggressively to contain and prevent all forms of water pollution.

• Growth in boating is placing an additional environmental burden on crowded recreational waters.

• Advancing technology has given a wide range of "user friendly" sanitation system options.