Where should marinas wash vehicles and boats?
According to RSA 485-A:13, due to permitting requirements to ensure the quality of surface water, discharging vehicle wastewater to surface water is generally not an option. In order to prevent releasing waste water into ground water and surface water, the best setup is to wash vehicles and boats on an asphalt or concrete surface that is covered and drains to a sewer (with permission from local POTW). The asphalt and concrete are non-porous so wastewater will not get into the ground and the cover prevents rain from washing soaps and particulates into surface waters. Draining to a sewer is the most practical way to prevent wastewater from reaching surface water. Other options for discharge of vehicle wastewater include: • Operating a closed system with wastewater recycling (no discharge of wastewater). • Obtain a groundwater discharge permit. • Wash fewer than 30 vessels per week and discharge to a porous, ground surface. For more info about wastewater, go to Wastewater Discharges from
