General Description
Vessel wastewater discharges are primarily regulated by EPA's NPDES Vessel General Permit (VGP). Two types of watercraft-unique wastewater are ballast water and bilge. Bilge is the lowest compartment of a ship where the two sides meet and where water collects from rough seas, rain, minor leaks in the hull. Bilge is where oil, solvents, detergents, chemicals, urine, and other wastes that have accumulated while out at sea. Ballast water is taken onboard for stability prior to a voyage and then released into the water once the destination is released.
Summary of Federal Requirements
The NPDES Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulates discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels operating in a capacity as a means of transportation. The Vessel General Permit (VGP) applies to discharges incidental to the normal operation of all non-recreational, non-military vessels of 79 feet or greater in length which discharge in waters of the United States. In addition, the ballast water discharge provisions also apply to any non-recreational vessel of less than 79 feet or commercial fishing vessel of any size discharging ballast water.
All non-recreational, non-military vessels must have an NPDES permit such as the VGP before they can legally discharge (and operate) in US waters. Failure to have NPDES permit coverage may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. The current VGP expires on December, 19, 2013.
Prior to discharging wastewater the following watercraft must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to become authorized to discharge wastewater under the VGP:
- vessels (commercial fishing vessels of any size and non-recreational vessels less than 79 feet) with ballast water discharges are required to submit an NOI for the ballast water discharge only, or
- vessels greater than or equal to 300 gross tons, or
- vessels having the capacity to hold or discharge more than 8 cubic meters (2113 gallons) of ballast water.
If a vessel does not meet the criteria for needing to submit a NOI, but are subject to the VGP, the vessel automatically receives coverage under the VGP and is authorized to discharge in accordance with the conditions set forth in the VGP.
Wastewater discharge restrictions in the VGP address:
- Ballast waste discharges
- Bilgewater discharges
- Deck runoff and washdown
- Graywater
Ballast Waste Discharges
All vessels subject to the VGP must follow all US Coast Guard's mandatory ballast water management and exchange standards. Any vessel engaged in Pacific nearshore voyages that carries ballast water that was taken on in areas less than 50 nautical miles from shore must conduct ballast water exchange. All vessels coming from outside the US EEZ and engaged in pacific nearshore voyages declaring "No Ballast On Board" (NOBOB vessels) must conduct saltwater flushing if they will discharge in any US waters. No sediment from ballast water tanks may be discharged into any US waters. Finally, no vessel may discharge unexchanged or untreated ballast water into "Waters Federally Protected wholly or in part for Conservation Purposes."
Bilgewater Discharges
All vessels subject to the VGP must follow all existing US Coast Guard and EPA bilgewater requirements. Vessel operators may not use dispersants, detergents, emulsifiers, chemicals or other substances to remove the appearance of a visible sheen in their bilgewater discharges. Vessels greater than 400 gross tons that regularly sail outside the territorial sea (at least once per month) shall not discharge treated bilgewater within 1 nm of shore if technologically feasible, and shall only discharge treated bilgewater within 1 and 3 nm if sailing at least 6 knots.
Deck Runoff and Washdown
Vessel owner/operators must keep their decks tidy and minimize the introduction of on-deck debris, garbage, residue and spill into deck washdown and runoff discharges. Vessels must minimize deck washdowns while in port (anchored, secured, or otherwise moored) . If deck washdowns or above water line hull cleaning will result in a discharge, they must be conducted with non-toxic and phosphate free cleaners and detergents.
Graywater Discharges
The vessel must eliminate the discharge of kitchen oils and phosphate-free soaps must be used .
Summary of State Requirements
The Clean Water Act allows states to provide different, more stringent requirements for discharges into their State's waters. These requirements can be found in Part 6 of the VGP.
Laws and Statutes
Clean Water Act
