It's the Law: On the Water

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

It is illegal to discharge oil or hazardous substances.

• You must dispose of oil waste in an approved oil waste container.
• Use bilge absorbents (bilge pillows) in the bilge area to absorb any oil or fuel, preventing it from being pumped back into the water. Secure the bilge pillow to avoid interference with the bilge pump and blower system.
• If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard near the bilge pump switch that states the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.

Discharge of Waste

• State law prohibits humans and vessels from discharging any sewage into the waters or onto the shorelines of Arizona. Use portable toilets provided on the shore or the floating portable toilets. Consult a lake map for the locations of portable toilets.
• If you have a vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. All installed devices must be U.S. Coast Guard— certified. Vessels 65 feet in length or less may use a Type I, II, or III MSD. Vessels over 65 feet must install a Type II or III MSD.

Types of MSDs

A Type III MSD is the simplest and most common, consisting of a holding tank or portable toilet. Waste is to be discharged into a pump-out facility.

Discharge of Trash

It is illegal to dump garbage, plastics, debris, or filthy or smelly objects or substances into any Arizona waters or shorelines. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.

• You must store trash in a container while on board and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.
• If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.