Water, Air and Climate Change Branch
WATER QUALITY
Clean
Water...It Starts with You
Pleasure
Boating
We
depend on clean water. Not only does it provide a home
for plants and animals, and drinking water for people,
but it provides recreation, tourism and job opportunities.
Many of us don't realize how our daily activities affect
the water quality in our local marine and fresh water bodies. |
|
Did
You Know?
- If
you live in an area with storm drains... when you wash
your car, the soapy water and debris can run off your driveway
into a storm drain that empties directly into local water bodies.
- If
you have an onsite sewage system such as a septic system... that
is not properly sized, constructed or maintained, the
drainfield can
become plugged which can cause partially treated wastewater
to surface on your lawn or in ditches which lead to local
water bodies.
- If
you live on a farm or ranch... livestock manure,
sediments and improperly applied pesticides and fertilizers
can contaminate local water bodies.
- If
you are a boater... the dumping of sewage, leaking
fuel and oil and using toxic cleaning products can threaten
water quality, especially near the shoreline.
These are just a few examples of nonpoint source pollution. It
is different from point source pollution which comes from
well defined sources, such as a sewage pipe or industry pipe.
Nonpoint source pollution comes from many places. It's not
easy to identify or control, and all of us, often without
knowing, contribute to it. Although progress has been made
in reducing nonpoint and point source pollution, nonpoint source pollution remains a leading threat to water quality
in BC.
It All Adds Up
Small amounts
of nonpoint source pollution from each one of us may not seem
to be a problem. But the combined effects of pollutants from
almost four million British Columbians is threatening our clean
water resources. Closed beaches, contaminated shellfish beds,
fish kills and unsafe drinking water are just some of the environmental
impacts.
We can reduce nonpoint source pollution. You can make a difference
as an individual or by joining or forming a community stewardship
group which cares for a local waterbody. BC Environment (now
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection) has produced
five CLEAN WATER brochures: nonpoint source
pollution, urban runoff, onsite sewage systems, agriculture
and pleasure boating. All provide tips that people can follow
to reduce or prevent nonpoint source pollution. This brochure
focuses on pleasure boating and water quality.
Clean Water...It starts with you!
Imagine
the Effects
- Untreated
sewage released into water from pleasure boating contains harmful
parasites, bacteria and viruses that contaminate shellfish,
harm other aquatic life and threaten human health.
- Nutrients
and organic matter in sewage use up oxygen that fish and other
aquatic life need to survive
- Toxins from
paints and wood preservatives cause tumours or liver lesions
in bottom-dwelling fish and other aquatic life
- Many other
contaminants from boating can harm aquatic life, such as leaking
fuel and oil, boat cleaners which contain chlorine, ammonia,
phosphate and other potentially harmful substances and trash
thrown overboard.
What is the Legislation?
The Pleasure
Craft Sewage Pollution Prevention Regulations under the Canada
Shipping Act ban the release of raw sewage from pleasure boats
in designated bodies of water. Pleasure boats operating in
designated water bodies must be equipped with adequate holding
tanks. The Canadian Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
and Conservation Officers are all authorized to enforce this
regulation.
Citizen
groups and individuals can contact the Ministry of Water, Land
and Air Protection to find out which water bodies have been
designated or how to have sensitive water bodies considered
for protection under this legislation.
What Can You do About It?
The person
on the front cover is using a dropcloth to collect paint scrapings
while maintaining a boat. You too can do your part to prevent
nonpoint source pollution. Follow these tips to protect the
water bodies where you enjoy boating.
- Install
a holding tank to avoid dumping sewage directly into waters.
- Use shoreside
toilet facilities as much as possible.
- If no pumpout
facilities are available, only release sewage in open waters
that have good tidal flushing action. Avoid releasing sewage
in marinas, bays, inlets and other sensitive areas such as
shellfish leases.
- Create the
demand for permanent or mobile pumpout services by letting
marinas know you need it and will use it.
- Do not throw
trash overboard. Use shoreside recycling and garbage bins.
- Use biodegradable,
phosphate-free cleaners instead of chemical cleaners to clean
the inside and outside of your boat.
- Conduct
major maintenance chores on land.
- When maintaining
your boat, use drop cloths to catch scrapings, paint chips,
debris and drips and dispose of materials properly. Avoid using
antifoulant paints as they are harmful to aquatic life.
- Keep motors
well maintained and tuned to prevent fuel and lubricant leaks.
- Consider
installing 4-stroke engines which are less polluting than 2-stroke
engines. Use electric motors where practical.
- Use absorbent
bilge pads to soak up minor oil and fuel leaks or spills.
- Report any
spills to the Provincial
Spill Reporting number at 1-800-663-3456.
- Apply to
the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection for designation
of a waterbody you are concerned about.
- Peer pressure
is often the best method of improving practices. Help educate
fellow boaters.
Our individual actions add up!
You
Can Make a Difference!
Protect
clean water supplies by preventing nonpoint source pollution
in the first place. It will take all of us working together
cooperatively with neighbours, in our communities and with
all levels of government to keep water clean.
Clean Water...It starts with you!
updated:
August 3, 2001
