Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

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Connecticut's No Discharge Area Program

In an effort to improve and preserve the quality of coastal waters in Long Island Sound and its harbors, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has taken steps to ban all sewage discharge from all vessels into coastal waters.

Since its inception, the federal Clean Water Act has prohibited the discharge of untreated sewage from vessels in all of Long Island Sound. Now, eliminating the release of all sewage from boats, both treated and untreated, will result in further reductions of human fecal waste discharge and, therefore, reductions in nutrient loading and potential human exposure to bacterial and viral pathogens in swimming areas, shellfish beds and other environmentally sensitive aquatic habitats. Connecticut has designated No Discharge Areas (NDAs) in all of Connecticut's coastal waters from the Rhode Island state boundary in the Pawcatuck River to the New York State Boundary in the Byram River and extending from shore out to the New York state boundary. In these waters the discharge of any sewage from any vessel is prohibited.

EPA has approved the No Discharge Areas pursuant to Section 312(f)(3) of the Federal Clean Water Act as amended. Information regarding federal approval of Connecticut NDAs can be found on the EPA website.

Pumpout Facilities

The DEEP CVA Facilities/Pumpout Map can help you locate a nearby recreational boat pumpout facility. Additionally, please visit Connecticut’s Clean Vessel Act (CVA) webpage to learn why boaters must install or upgrade a marine sanitation device (MSD) in order to be in compliance with the existing laws governing vessel sewage discharge, and to find valuable information on how to choose a system, the different sewage system designs and system components available, and helpful tips for their installation and maintenance. You will also find information about the Federal CVA Grant Program, which provides federally funded matching grants to public and private boating facilities for qualifying projects that provide boat sewage disposal facilities.

Questions about Connecticut’s No Discharge Area Program may be directed to Kate Brown at 860-447-4340 or kate.brown@ct.gov.

Content Last Updated on December 26, 2019