Vessel Wash Wastewater Management – Options for Marinas Presented by: Michael J. Danko New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium Virginia Marine Trades Conference November 10, 2015

Wastewater Composition Generally classified as industrial wastewater Keep the lead out! To avoid hazardous waste classification Large solids - Paint chips, barnacles, etc Metals - Solid and dissolved Bacteria pH - Hull cleaners can lower pH levels. Low pH can increase dissolved metals

Wastewater Management Goals Number of boats washed annually Average length of the vessels washed Estimated volume of freshwater used Type of bottom paint used on the majority of boats at your facility

Wastewater Mgmt Goals cont. Estimate volume of wastewater collected Average time spent washing boat bottoms is minutes Average volume recovered is 40 gallons per boat Water/sewage charges that may apply Contact local sewer authority to discuss options

Step One – Collection System Consists of a wash pad, sump and storage tank; approximately $15,000 to install. Wash pad size determined by length of vessels handled at your facility. Cost of pad can vary widely Temporary pads are a viable option for smaller facilities

Collection System cont. Recommend a dual-chambered sump capable of holding gallons. Temporary storage is recommended; size will vary depending on treatment and/or disposal method. Stormwater diversion Check State regulations to determine legal disposal methods Cover for sump Divert stormwater to surface or ground water using additional valves and piping

Step Two – Choosing A Disposal or Treatment Method Option A – On-site storage with no treatment, wastewater is hauled away for proper disposal Option B - On-site treatment, treated wastewater is recycled or disposed of into a sewer line Primary treatment Secondary treatment

Step Two – Choosing A Disposal or Treatment Method cont. Option A – Store the wastewater and have it hauled away for proper disposal Approximate cost - $15,000 for collection system and storage tank; $0.84 – $1.13/gallon for wastewater disposal Recommend 2,000-gallon storage tank Advantages - low initial investment, minimal maintenance, provides data to assess if on-site treatment will be cost-effective Disadvantages - potential for high disposal costs, water use remains the same

Option B – On-site treatment System must be located in a heated shed Marina operators must evaluate the acceptable level of treatment for recycling or discharge to a sanitary sewer line Step Two – Choosing A Disposal or Treatment Method cont.

Option B - Primary Treatment Mechanical filtration, cyclonic action or other similar means to remove solids Approximate cost - $27,000 ($15,000 for collection system; $12,000 for treatment system) Cost of the system increases when treatment options like sanitization and pH adjustment are added Advantages- moderate costs and option to recycle treated wastewater Disadvantages – potential for high maintenance costs; need to monitor contaminant levels and periodically purge system Step Two – Choosing A Disposal or Treatment Method cont.

Option B - Advanced Treatment Electrocoagulation or similar methods that remove solid and dissolved metals Total cost is approximately $32,000 ($15,000 for the collection system; $17,000 for the treatment system) Advantages- moderate cost, wastewater can be recycled without the need to purge, will most likely meet requirements for discharge to a sanitary sewer, maintenance costs are moderate Disadvantages – higher initial investment Step Two – Choosing A Disposal or Treatment Method cont.

BMPs Purge systems that use filters, cyclonic action or other similar means as the primary method of preventing the build-up of dissolved metals Contract with a laboratory for weekly bacterial and pH analysis initially to determine levels and adjust purging schedule as needed Remove or cover all sacrificial anodes when pressure washing Products used to remove growth at the water line can adversely lower the pH in the wastewater

Mike Danko ext. 29 or NJSeaGrant.org/extension/recreational- fishing/vessel-wastewater-management/ For More Information