It's the Law: On the Water

Discharge of Waste

• It is illegal to discharge any treated or untreated sewage into the waters of Nevada. All sewage must be emptied at a sewage pump-out station.
• If you have a vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board and be designed to prevent discharge into the water. If your vessel does not have installed toilet facilities, you should consider carrying a portable toilet.
• All installed marine sanitation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard-certified and working properly.

Types of MSDs There are three types of MSDs. Types I and II MSDs are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before the waste is discharged. Types I and II MSDs with "Y" valves that would direct the waste overboard must be secured so that the valve cannot be opened. This can be done by placing a lock or non-reusable seal on the "Y" valve or by taking the handle off the "Y" valve in a closed position. Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste should be taken ashore and disposed of in a pump-out station or onshore toilet.

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

• You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances into the water.
• You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal.
• You must dispose of oil waste at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate for temporary storage.
• If boating on federally controlled waters and your vessel is 26 feet or longer, you must display a 5 x 8-inch placard made of durable material, fixed in a conspicuous place in the machinery spaces or at the bilge pump control station, stating the stating the Federal Water Pollution Control Act's law.

Discharge of Trash

It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters.

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