Nonpoint Source Pollution
Environmental Effects of Marinas and Boating Activities
Nonpoint source pollution from marinas and boating can negatively effect the environment if adequate management steps are not taken to control it.
To define nonpoint source pollution, you need to back up and understand the definition of point source pollution. Our US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines it as, “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.” A common example of point source pollution is the discharge of a municipal sewage treatment plant. Discharges into the environment are from the a single source, the treatment plant.
Nonpoint Source Pollution - Almost all other pollution entering the environment is classified as nonpoint source pollution. This is pollution coming from diverse sources, entering the environment from multiple venues. Boating generates nonpoint source pollution in many ways. Construction or expansion of new mooring facilities creates suspended solids that can enter the water. Boats can introduce fuel, motor oil, bottom paints, hull cleaners and anti-freeze into the environment from operation and maintenance activities. Contaminants can wash off the surface of parking lots, entering waterways via storm sewer systems. Improper discharge of vessel holding tanks and a lack of pumpout stations can increase bacterial and nutrient levels in the water. Clean boating practices can mitigate the effect of these pollution sources.
Effects of Pollution - Introduction of sewage, detergent cleaning products and fish waste allows excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus to accumulate in a marina. An overproduction of organic matter like algae or eutrophication is caused by the presence of excessive nutrients in the water. Algae blooms increase the demand for dissolved oxygen and can kill fish. Known is Harmful Algae Blooms (HAL), these events can also effect human health through the accumulation of toxins in resident shellfish eaten by people.
Suspended Sediments – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) provides substantial benefits for marine waters. SAV's provide habitat for organisms living in marina waters, produce oxygen, filter the water and trap sediments. Runoff from disturbed soil can kill SAV's and harm marine habitat. Maintenance dredging, marina upland construction projects, mooring basin expansion and building new marinas can increase sediments in the water if proper precautions are not taken.
Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals – Vessel maintenance can introduce pesticides and toxic chemicals. Bottom paints contain high levels of copper to kill aquatic organisms. Boats routinely use lead-acid batteries, motor oil, petroleum based fuel, ethylene glycol antifreeze, non-degrading plastics, varnishes, and zinc in their operation and maintenance. Use of Best Management Practices (BMP) and adoption of Clean Marina Program will prevent the inadvertent introduction of these harmful substances into the water.
Petroleum Products - Fuel and oil enters marina waters from several nonpoint sources. Cars and trucks leak motor oil and fuel onto parking lots that can be flushed by rainfall into nearby water bodies. Fuel can leak from boats with overfilled tanks or while being fueled up. Engine oil and fuel can accumulate in bilge spaces and be pumped overboard on a leaky boat. Engine oil can be spilled during routine maintenance. All of these nonpoint sources of pollution can be prevented through good management practices and excellent stewardship.
Solid Waste - Adequate trash and garbage disposal facilities need to be provided by ports and marinas. Boaters are always encouraged to bring back their trash, but there needs to be a place to put it. Well designed trash containers will kept wastes from blowing away and landing in the water. Most trash and plastic that enters marinas comes from dirty streets and their storm sewer systems.
Used Oil - Used motor oil that is kept free of contaminants is fully recyclable. It can be reused wit filtering or burned as a fuel. Used oil contaminated with things like antifreeze, brake cleaner or solvent must treated as a hazardous waste and disposal costs rise accordingly. Most marinas will provide an ecologically safe used oil disposal site for their customers.
Sewage – Marinas need to have attractive and useable upland comfort stations. Adequate vessel pumpout facilities are needed in a clean marina. Funding is available for pumpouts through the Federal Clean Water Act. Reducing sewage discharges will lessen bacterial and nutrient levels in the water, improving health and wildlife habitat.
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