Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal in Tennessee and Federal Waters

It is illegal to discharge waste, oil, or trash into any state or federally controlled waters. This is for very good reasons.

Sewage carries disease and other pollutants that are harmful to people, aquatic plants, and animals.
Trash thrown into the water can injure swimmers and wildlife alike. It also can plug engine cooling water intakes.
Pollution is unsightly and takes away from your enjoyment of the water.

Pumpout Station sign

Signs like these are posted at pump-out stations in Tennessee.

Vessel operators need to be aware of the following regulations for waste, oil, and trash disposal that apply to both federally controlled and state waters. The Refuse Act prohibits throwing, discharging, or depositing any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil, and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States.

Discharge of Sewage and Waste

If you have a recreational vessel with installed toilet facilities, it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. An MSD is a separate mechanism attached to the marine toilet. The macerator inside the toilet and the reservoir beside the toilet are not marine sanitation devices.

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 when on “no discharge” waters. 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.
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.

It is illegal to discharge raw (untreated) sewage into any public waters.

Public waters are classified as either “discharge” (capable of accepting treated sewage) or “no discharge” (waste must be retained in a holding tank and properly discharged on shore).

Discharge into public waters is restricted to Type I or II MSDs and only on those waters classified as “discharge.” Discharge reservoirs are: Barkley, Caulderwood, Cheatham, Chickamauga, Cordell Hull, Cumberland River, Ft. Loudon, Kentucky, McKellar, Melton Hill, Mississippi River, Nickajack, Old Hickory, Pickwick, Reelfoot, South Holston, Tellico, Tennessee River, and Watts Bar.
No discharge reservoirs are: Beech River Lakes; Boone; Center Hill; Cherokee; Chilhowee; Dale Hollow; Douglas; Ft. Patrick Henry; Great Falls; J. Percy Priest; Lake Graham; Nolichucky; Normandy; Norris; Ocoee 1, 2, and 3; Tims Ford; Watauga; Wilbur; and Woods.

Vessels 65 feet or less in length may use a Type I, II, or III MSD. Vessels more than 65 feet in length must install a Type II or III MSD.

All installed MSDs must be U.S. Coast Guard–certified.

Marinas and docks operating on public waters must provide a sewage removal service.

Discharge of Trash

The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships places limitations on the discharge of garbage from vessels. It is illegal to dump refuse, garbage, or plastics into any state or federally controlled waters. 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 in a prominent location. The Garbage Disposal Placard is a durable sign that is at least 4 x 9 inches and notifies passengers and crew about discharge restrictions.

Garbage Disposal Placard

Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

Regulations issued under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act require all vessels with propulsion machinery to be able to retain oil mixtures on board.

You are not allowed to discharge oil or hazardous substances. The penalty for illegal discharge may be a fine of up to $10,000.
You are not allowed to dump oil into the bilge of the vessel without means for proper disposal. Fuel spills can be removed using absorbent bilge pads.
You must dispose of oil waste at an approved reception facility. On recreational vessels, a bucket or bailer is adequate for temporary storage prior to disposing of the oil waste at an approved facility.
You must notify the U.S. Coast Guard immediately if your vessel discharges oil or hazardous substances in the water. Call toll-free 1-800-424-8802. Report the discharge’s location, color, source, substances, size, and time observed. You also must call the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and report the discharge.
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 following:

Oil Discharge Placard

A 5 x 8-inch sign that states the law pertaining to oil discharge

Waste Management Plan

Ocean-going vessels that are 40 feet or more in length with cooking and sleeping facilities must have a written Waste Management Plan.
The captain of the vessel is responsible for implementing the Waste Management Plan.
The Waste Management Plan, identifying the vessel's name and home port, should be posted and should include directives to all persons on board about:
- Discharging sewage and hazardous substances
- Discharging garbage and other food waste
- Disposing of plastics, bottles, and cans
- Reading applicable placards for additional information
- Advising the captain in case of oily discharges or diesel spills

Stop the Spread of Nuisance Species!

Hydrilla

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Silver Carp

Introducing aquatic nuisance species into Tennessee waters can upset the balance of the ecosystem, thereby harming the environment. Aquatic nuisance species, such as bighead and silver carp, Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla, New Zealand mudsnail, purple loosestrife, round goby, and zebra mussel, most often spread between waterways by hitching a ride on vessels and trailers. When transplanted into new waters, these organisms proliferate, displacing native species and damaging the water resource and your vessel.

To prevent spreading aquatic nuisance species:

Inspect your vessel, motor, live wells, and trailer, and remove any aquatic nuisance species you see before leaving the area.
Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers before leaving the area.
Dispose of unwanted bait and other animals or aquatic plants in the trash.
To remove or kill species that were not visible when leaving the area, either wash your boat and equipment with hot water or air dry them for at least five days.