A new ruling by the NOAA will effectively stop boaters from pumping any sewage they may have accumulated into the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This new ruling – which will put a stop to dumping your waste this December 27th – also dictates that you must secure your sanitation devices to prevent any accidental leaks into the waters of the sanctuary.
The methods which have been deemed appropriate include, but are not limited to, all the ways that the US coast guard, along with other State and Private entities, have approved previously. They are even going to put in some new “pump-out” stations to help boaters comply with the new rules.
“This rule is another important step in restoring the water quality of the Florida Keys,” explained sanctuary superintendent, Sean Morton. “Combined with other strategies such as increased pump-out facility availability and ongoing progress in advanced wastewater treatment, this new rule brings us closer to reversing the trends of declining water quality associated with human sources of pollution.”
The discharging of waste materials has been prohibited in state waters of the sanctuary ever since it was labeled a “no poop” zone by the US Environmental Protection Agency back in 2002. Under this new ruling will effectively protect state and federal sanctuary waters from harmful wastes from boats.
Well, it’s good to know that we now need to be careful where we dump our sewage in the ocean. Just because it’s big, does not make it a giant sewer.