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 The Department of Ecology regulates waste discharge from Cruise Ships in Washington State.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Department of Ecology (Ecology),
the North West & Canada Cruise Association (NWCCA) and the Port of Seattle was originally signed on April 20, 2004.
It has been
amended five times
since then to strengthen the requirements.
Accepting Public Comments
on Proposed Amendments to the MOU
January 12 - February 13, 2012
Proposed Amendments:
1) Ban the discharge of gray water and black water in MOU waters.
2) Ban the continuous discharge of gray water and sewage (black
water), limiting to only discharge while the ship is greater than 1
mile offshore and traveling at least six knots or more.
(Provided by Friends of the Earth, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, and
People For Puget Sound)
*Note:
the 3rd proposed amendment detailed in the letter did not meet the
criteria or sponsorship for public comment.
Submit Proposed Amendments in Hardcopy to:
Amy Jankowiak
Department of Ecology
Northwest Regional Office
Water Quality Program
3190 160th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98008 Submit Proposed Amendments by e-mail to:
amy.jankowiak@ecy.wa.gov
Questions?
Call Amy at
425-649-7195
The MOU covers large passenger ships that are members of the NWCCA.
It does not cover ships such as:
The MOU prohibits discharges of both
blackwater and graywater
to Washington state waters from all cruise ships except discharges treated with
advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) and when stringent requirements are
met. Such systems have been and are being installed on some of the cruise ships
serving the Alaska market. AWTS are installed to provide treatment that meets or
exceeds Alaska’s requirements under federal law.
The MOU defines the subject waters as being consistent with Washington marine
waters. It requires sampling and monitoring of wastewater discharges and allows
for vessel inspections by Ecology.
The MOU includes additional elements, such
as:
- Sewage sludge (biomass) discharges are prohibited within 12 nautical
miles from shore and within the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
- No discharges within a half a mile of shellfish beds.
- Specific sampling regimen, testing, and reporting are required.
- Continuous monitoring for turbidity and disinfection with capability to
shut down immediately.
- Advanced notification and documentation are required from ships planning
to discharge via an AWTS.
- Cruise ships must comply with Washington’s more restrictive
hazardous-waste laws, are prohibited from dumping garbage into state waters
and may only discharge oily bilge water per regulation.
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Need to Report a Spill or MOU
Non-Compliance?
Immediately Report MOU Non-Compliance to the Department of Ecology at:
425-649-7000
(24-hours)
Immediately Report “upset of disinfection" to Department of Health at:
360-236-3330
(8 am-5 pm)
or
360-786-4183
(after hrs.)
Information for reporting oil or other spills
Map of Waters
Subject to MOU
Cruise Lead:
Amy Jankowiak
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
3190 160th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98008
425-649-7195
ajan461@ecy.wa.gov |
