What is vessel wastewater?
Contents
1. be prepared for a level of commitment not generally required for retaining wastewater on board for land based disposal What should look for in choosing a system Wastewater treatment system standards Vessel operators will find numerous wastewater treatment systems available on the market and it can be a daunting exercise to assess their suitability The EPA advises consumers to ensure manufacturers can supply onboard wastewater treatment systems that will facilitate compliance with the Directive The following checklist should be used to assess a wastewater treatment system s integrity e The system should include documentation from the manufacturer or supplier that states gt the system s performance specifications under normal operating conditions which includes a statement of the levels of water quality characteristics remaining in the wastewater after it has been treated in the system gt the name and address of an independent registered laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities visit lt www nata asn au gt for more information that has assessed the performance of the system against the performance specifications mentioned in the first point gt the date of the assessment and the results of the assessment e The system should gt include comprehensive and durable manuals for operating and maintaining the system gt have a durable label identification mechanism attached to it sta2. flush cistern model and type litres person litres person Vacuum toilets require 0 4 L per flush The following considerations are important when selecting a wastewater holding tank 1 4 1 Cleaning Look for tanks that can be disassembled so that that they can be examined internally for maintenance purposes Uric acid salts crystals from urine and salt water flushes and other more solid waste deposits from faeces and papers do build up over time A round or cylindrical shape design produces a whirlpool effect in the tank This keeps the tank s contents from settling and dramatically reduces the opportunity for solids to build up Remember that any internally blocked vent should be considered dangerous as the gas produced is explosive and poisonous 1 4 2 Construction material A tank without welds will offer more peace of mind Joins and welds can flex and stress with vessel movement over time resulting in splitting which can spill tank contents inside the vessel Composting toilets ing toilets break down black water and can do so without che break down human waste and toilet ria rougi the natural pr in the kodini tank Recent i to Slrsires no ash f p ration requirem 2 2 Seawater elect than in eorias with the di 2 2 5 Tertiary treatment The term tertiary treatment has developed over recent times with advancements in technology to describe additional processes that have been developed to furt
3. to protect both humans and the environment from harm The types of options available depend on the size of the vessel and manner in which it is used Management options include the use of e onshore facilities such as public toilets bathrooms and laundry facilities e anonboard portable toilet for later disposal ashore or in open waters where discharge is permitted e anonboard wastewater holding tank for later disposal ashore where pump out facilities are provided or in open waters where discharge is permitted e onboard wastewater treatment systems Vessel operators need to ensure that wastewater in particular black water is managed appropriately and that any discharges are made in compliance with the Directive Boaters should consider e the waters in which their boating activities will take place e the number of people that they intend having onboard their vessel e the amount of time to be spent boating in the various different waters e the discharge requirements of those waters especially in zero discharge waters In many cases where owners and operators of recreational boats only use their craft for day trips compliance can be relatively straightforward and inexpensive For example it can be as simple as the use of a portable toilet in zero discharge waters or fitting a macerator to the existing fixed toilet for use in open waters where discharge is permitted While the use of onshore toilet facilities may be a good shor
4. wastewater containment only ill not fit ini o the space They are have few 1 4 Fixed fitted toilets and tanks It is recommended that vessel operators ensure their onboard wastewater management system complies with Australian Standard AS3542 Pleasure Boats Toilet Waste Collection Holding and Transfer Systems Fixed fitted toilets should incorporate a purpose built macerating device This is necessary for wastewater that either is to be contained on board or passed through a treatment system Please note vacuum systems are considered to effectively macerate the waste via their operational effect Valves such as clack or joker valves common to marine toilet pipework systems are not considered effective macerating devices Aquatic discharges of untreated and treated black water into acceptable areas of the marine environment must involve the black water passing through a macerator device The onboard macerator must effectively reduce solid wastes in the black water into a fine slurry at least for example by grinding shredding or pulping The size of the holding tank selected should be based on the vessel s intended usage and the number of people using the toilet Suggested minimum holding tank capacities are shown in Table 1 for both conventional and marine style toilets Table 1 Minimum toilet wastewater generation rates Holding tank pump out interval in Conventional toilet dual Marine toilet subject to
5. Boat Sewage Management Information This information has been adapted with permission from the South Australian EPA What is vessel wastewater Two different types of wastewater may be created on board vessels black water and grey water Black water is the drainage and other wastes from any form of toilet It also includes any other wastewater when mixed with such drainages and includes solid human faecal wastes Black water does not include grey water unless it is mixed with other black water wastes Grey water is water that has been used in the galley shower sink and laundry This includes water containing dissolved or undissolved by products such as fat and oil food scraps household chemicals soap and detergent rich in phosphate nitrate and microbiological pathogens eg bacteria and viruses Grey water that is mixed with black water becomes black water There are currently no prohibitions on the discharge of grey water but this issue may be considered in the future What is the difference between treated and untreated wastewater Any sewage discharged from a vessel will be either one of the following two categories treated wastewater or untreated wastewater Treated wastewater is wastewater that has passed through an onboard wastewater treatment system suitable for treating black water Macerated black water is not treated black water Untreated wastewater is all wastewater that has not passed through a treatment system
6. eg wastewater that is discharged directly from a toilet kitchen or bathroom directly into a waterway in areas where discharge is permitted or contained in an onboard holding tank Any untreated black water that is discharged in areas where it is permitted should first be passed through a macerator that reduces the contents to a fine slurry What do have to do with the wastewater and why There is evidence that our aquatic environments are declining in water quality and whilst this is attributed to pollutants from a number of sources including effluent discharges from sewage treatment works industrial wastewater farming practices and urban stormwater runoff there are increasing calls for all contributors including the boating community to accept responsibility and reduce their environmental impacts for reasons of future sustainability One small recreational vessel can cause significant harm through the release of its wastewater especially in sensitive aquatic areas Recent closures of shellfish farming areas due to the presence of faecal contamination although in the Dunalley instance not caused by sewage from boats have impacted significantly on the fishing industry itself and the wider community FAQ Wastewater management requirements for vessels on marine waters EPA 910 10 Managing vessel wastewater for black amp or greywater EPA 709 10 1 There are a range of options for managing wastewater that are designed
7. her remove suspended solids and nutrients primarily nitrogen and phosphorous This degree of treatment is usually achieved by chemical for example coagulation methods as well as physical methods flocculation and activated carbon adsorption Increasingly membrane filtration can be used as an alternative for flocculation sediment purification techniques adsorption sand filters and active carbon filters ion exchangers extraction and distillation Most vessel wastewater treatment systems were manufactured to treat black water alone and primarily designed configured around marine travelling vessels Increasingly these systems are being utilised to treat grey water and are being marketed for inland travelling vessels such as houseboats The EPA advises vessel operators to ensure that they understand the difference between the two wastewater streams and what that means for treatment especially in relation to which environment marine or inland the final wastewater will be discharged A wastewater treatment system for grey water must for example be able to manage the greater flows generated from grey water sources on board and incorporate oil grease separating devices as a minimum Grey water can contain pathogenic disease causing bacteria so disinfection is an essential treatment component Vessel operators are strongly advised to consider the long term operation and maintenance requirements of an onboard wastewater treatment system and
8. t term black water management solution a more permanent and long term user friendly option should be considered especially if your vessel makes extended or overnight trips Regardless of vessel type or area of operation all vessel owners and operators should ensure that toileting arrangements on vessels are installed or modified by suitably qualified personnel and conform to the minimum requirements outlined in Australian Standard AS3542 1996 Pleasure boats toilet waste collection holding and transfer systems which is available from Standards Australia What should I do when considering treatment options Any onboard wastewater management system will only remain effective if operated and serviced to manufacturer s standards All systems have the potential to pose health risks present operational problems and cause environmental impacts although improperly designed and fitted systems carry far greater risks and should be avoided as a matter of course Vessel operators should where possible observe the following practices e use land based amenity facilities to go to the toilet shower wash dishes and clothing e install low flush toilets There are systems that use as little as 0 4 litres per flush Provided the onboard toilets incorporate macerating devices operators need not be concerned with solids blocking pipe systems through the use of low flush systems immersing dishes in water yE aiis and dairy prodwi s
9. ting the following 2r s name and number of the system amp the manufe the type and mo gt be installed in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions gt be fitted with an indicator to indicate if the system is malfunctioning edules and requirements gt authorised service provider
10. uch as ae and cream narama the pe ent system s and treatment ers before p purchase What systems are available 1 Holding devices portable toilets vacuum toilets flexible bladders and fixed tanks 1 1 Portable toilets A portable toilet may be the simplest least expensive way to comply with the intent of the law They require minimal space are low cost simple and reliable to operate and provide for a variety of osal discharge options Their disadvantage is that they have limited ee and bine ical sh lig and lij ami tyi i between 2 20 ee aaa ane pes cont i eataa fie chemical testment that meet the Atalian Standard AS1 792 iaa 1 2 Vacuum toilets There are lightwei as h gt anywhere that is suitable on your vessel When the at is flushed the vacuum in the aiies is released The bowl is i I ny g J and the waste t iping to the r ren cassett yerful vac of approximately 4 6 amps ane ja lives a per fl os ai to eer ae the d i ui ber of persons on board your vessel and spares can be ttes also provide for a variety of disposal di Ji rt ilet sic holding tank eer akri to a install hit their ongoing maintenance eann ghaid be less 1 3 Flexible bladders These come in a range of volumes to suit ves id holding tanks will sceptible to leakage due to fing and flexing at pipe conni vide variety of disposal discharge options and may suit ves passengers adi require infrequent
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