EPA bans sewage discharge from boats into Lake Ontario

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a proposal from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ban sewage discharge from boats into Lake Ontario.

EPA designated a 3,675 square mile area of Lake Ontario as a no discharge zone, where boats are completely banned from discharging sewage into the water.

According to the EPA, boaters must now dispose of their sewage at one of the lake’s 37 specially-designated pump-out stations.

This action is part of a joint EPA and New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways.

EPA regional administrator Judith Enck said clean water is one of New York’s most valuable assets and that pumping sewage from boats into local waters is a practice that is both harmful and completely unnecessary.

"Establishing a no discharge zone for the lake is an important step in cleaning up New York’s treasured water bodies," Enck said.

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said the EPA’s approval to designate Lake Ontario as a no discharge zone enables New York to enhance water quality in the Great Lakes by stopping pollution from boaters.

"We will continue to work with the EPA, Environmental Facilities Corp, Department of State and other partners to reach our common goal of swimmable, drinkable and fishable Lake Ontario waters to support our health, economy and quality of life," Martens said.

EPA said sewage discharges from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health and impair marine life.

The Lake Ontario serves as an economic engine for the region, and is a source of drinking water for 760,000 people.