The Best of the Bay

The proper use of sewage pumpout facilities helps keep our Bay Serene and Clean!

The most significant threat to the health of the Chesapeake Bay is nutrient overenrichment. When present in excessive amounts, nutrients trigger algal blooms. The algae prevents sunlight from passing through the water column. Aquatic plants suffer as a result. Furthermore, when this algae dies and is decomposed, dissolved oxygen levels can be reduced to the point where aquatic life is threatened.

Boat sewage, whether treated by a marine sanitation device (MSD) or not, contains nutrients. Although one flush form one head on one boat may not add a significant amount of nutrients to the water, the effects of nutrient overenrichment are cumulative and boat sewage can present a particular problem in areas of water that do not flush well and where boats tend to congregate (such as marinas and mooring areas).

Raw or poorly treated sewage also contains harmful bacteria which is a potential source of disease transmission to swimmers and others who come into contact with contaminated waters. Also, human consumption of shellfish contaminated with sewage can result in serious illness.