Boater Information

South Carolina's coast, water ways and reservoirs are one of our most valuable natural resources. In addition to contributing to our quality of life, they create considerable economic value. This value is derived principally through fishing, shellfishing, boating and other commercial and recreational activities. Many boaters navigate South Carolina's coast, water ways and reservoirs during the summer, which is vital why we keep them clean.

Why use Pumpouts or Dump Stations?

Bacteria decompose the organic matter in raw and treated sewage, and in doing so use a lot of oxygen, therefore, the dissolved oxygen levels in the water decrease, stressing fish and other aquatic animals that need specific levels to survive.

The release of raw sewage or poorly treated sewage can transmit waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery, and hepatitis through microorganisms from the human digestion track. Raw sewage can also cause skin rashes. Many of the diseases mentioned can be directly relayed to people through shellfish. Shellfish are filter feeders that ingest tiny food particles through their gills that go directly to their stomachs. If sewage is present in the water, then the shellfish ingest it also. People then ingest the shellfish that are tainted with fecal contaminants and disease.

Increased sewage acts as a fertilizer causing excess growth of algae, which blocks out needed sunlight for aquatic vegetation which provides nursery habitat for fry or young fish.

Boats with holding tanks who discharge their sewage illegally and carelessly may be pouring large amounts of harmful chemicals in the water used as deodorizers in the holding tanks, such as formaldehyde, chlorine, and ammonium compounds.

Also, floating sewage tends to ruin your outdoor experience!