wrote in message
oups.com...

JimH wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...

JimH wrote:


You can't.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/R...ect/info4c.htm


Jim, you just posted a link to a site that *contradicts* your point!

Direct quote from your link:

Type One MSDs are treatment systems that reduce bacteria and discharge
no visible floating solids.

(Not legal in some state boating areas as well. Check local laws before
installing. Type One MSD systems, such as a head coupled with a
Lectra-San, are legal on vessels less than 65 feet that boat in an area
not declared a Federal No-Discharge Zone.


The fact is that *properly treated* waste can be discharged in any
waters not designated a no-discharge zone.

You are correct regarding untreated waste. It cannot be discharged in
inland waters or less than three miles offshore.


Sorry if I misinterpreted it. I read the table under Sewage System
Options
to say that it was illegal for Type I or II to discharge even treated
waste
in inland lakes.

Perhaps I need a lesson from Peggy on the fine art and operation of Type
I
and II systems. I have always had either Type III or portable systems.

I have never discharged my waste water tank in the past regardless of how
many miles off shore I was.

Regardless, I would not think it would ever be advisable to dump treated
or
untreated waste into the water systems in inland lakes.


Part of that depends, I think, on the inland lake in question. If
you're going to create a brown haze with even a legal discharge in a
1-acre duck pond, I'd personally recommend not. Same with dockside in a
marina, regardless of the body of water in question. But Lake Superior?
Maybe a different matter.

Riddle me this, (since you live back there in lake country). When the
local sewage utility collects and treats flush water from houses (and
boats) in your community, what does it do with the liquid volume
following treatment? If you don't know, you might want to look into it.
I'd personally be very surprised if your sewage treatment plant doesn't
drain right back into the same body of water upon which a lot of people
boat. (Sometimes back into a stream of water from which people
downstream actually drink!) The only difference between waste that is
properly treated on board to meet the federal standards and then dumped
back into the waterway and waste that is pumped out, directed to the
municipal sewage plant, treated to meet the federal standards and then
dumped back into the waterway is where it's treated- not whether.


You are indeed correct Chuck!

Waste water treatment plants in this (and most) areas discharge *treated*
waste water into streams which then feed into local Lakes or other large
bodies of water. The discharge water is supposed to meet EPA minimum
standards.

For the sake of argument let's say those discharge standards are met. Fine
and good assuming those standards are actually at a level protecting us.

Now what happens during maintenance and over capacity situations? These
situations happen quite regularly and may be planned or unplanned. You
guessed it.............the untreated waste (although it passes through
initial filters and *mixers*) goes directly into the stream, river or other
body of water you may be boating or swimming on/in.

So you riddle me this.........................Why are high bacteria counts
normally recorded at beaches along the Great Lakes (or other waterways)
after storms or at seemingly inane times?

You guessed it!

You think you are protected? Guess again!