By: Marty McDonaldHDB Marine

April 8, 2010

Marinas conducting vessel maintenance activities such as mechanical repairs, refurbishing, painting, fueling and cleaning operations are required to have a Basic Industrial Storm water General Permit (General Permit). The permit was designed to protect the coastal environment from pollution by eliminating the potential for storm water to come into contact with pollutants. Marinas sanctioned by the General Permit are required to prepare a Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SPPP). By May 31, 2009 marinas must eliminate the discharge of vessel wash water into surface and ground water. Marinas have the option of ceasing the practice of washing vessels or can capture the water and recycle the wash water, haul the wash water for proper disposal or request permission to connect to the sanitary sewer where applicable.

Wash Wastewater Characterization and Data

Wastewater generated from washing vessel bottoms can contain various levels of both solid and dissolved metals (copper, zinc, lead, iron and other metals), organic materials (barnacles, tube worms and algae) and salts. The amount of lead in the wastewater can be greatly reduced by removing the sacrificial anodes prior to pressure washing. Studies have indicated that the metals commonly found in vessel wash wastewater bind preferentially to fine particles. It should be noted that these fine particles and bound metals can be difficult to remove from the wastewater through filtration. In addition, when the wastewater is recycled and particles remain marina operators have reported that it can lead to the early breakdown of the pressure washer. Marina operators have alleviated this problem by passing the water through a 50 micron filter.

The I BOAT NJ is currently funding several wash wastewater studies at the following marinas in New Jersey: All Seasons Marina, Dillon’s Creek Marina, Viking Marina. Information on the type of systems they are testing is available below and data on the wash wastewater will be posted as it becomes available.

Several states have conducted an analysis of the wash wastewater and there information is available by clicking on the links below. ConnecticutMaineNew Jersey - coming soon Washington

Vessel Generated Wash Wastewater

EPA - NPDES

o Federal Law established by EPA

o EPA does not lend assistance

o Is enforced by the State

o Extreme enforcement – fresh city water has

been considered as toxic

EPA - Suggested Solutions

o Closed Loop Recycling Systems – equipment

cost $10,000 to $30,000

o Treat and discharge to Public Sewage System

equipment cost $25,000 to $75,000

o Containment followed by offsite disposal

cost is $1.50 to $3.00 per gallon

o Cease washing boats

Marina Facilities with Boat Wash Operations

• Dry Storage Marinas – primarily rinsing the

boats off – removing salt water, trace films of

hydrocarbons and organics

• Boat Yards – paint chips, organic growth,

trace metals and hydrocarbons

• Seasonal Haul-out Operations – organic

growth, some paint, trace metals and

hydrocarbons

• Commercial Boat Wash Operations - organic

growth, some paint, trace metals and

hydrocarbons

Boat wash operations are primarily dealing with organics and paint chips.Some metals and hydrocarbons. Heavy metals have been reduced with new bottom paints.

Pressure Washers & Water Volume

• Average pressure washer is 4 GPM with 2000 to 3000 PSI

• Commercial sprayer with 5 GPM and 1500 PSI – delivers super results

• CMTA – extensive study 2008 – the average amount of water used to wash a

boat is = 1 gallon / linear foot of boat

• 30’ boat = 30 gallons, 50’ boat = 50 gallons

• Big Boat Haul-out facilities wash a maximum of 10 boats a day per wash area

(informal fact gathering)

• Majority of Boat Yards use water only – no cleaners – just pressure!

• Wash 10- 40’ boats in a day – use 400 gallons of water

• 15% to 20% of wash water is lost due to evaporation, seepage, film stays on the

boat, etc. Recycling Systems routinely replace the lost water with fresh water.

Collecting the Wash Water

Wash Pad Design Requirements

• Impervious materials – concrete, plastic,

rubber, asphalt

• Must capture and contain the wash water

• Must properly handle Rain/storm water

Wash Pad Options

• Permanent Wash Pads

• Portable or Temporary Use Wash Pads

• Retro Fitting Existing Permanent Pad Areas

Permanent DesignsGood Practice

• Use the wash pad as the first filter to settle out large particles –

sweep & clean daily

• Slope – 1/8 inch per foot

• Use engineer or qualified contractor to design the pad for loads,

soil conditions, tire wear & equipment safety operations

• Cost Varies – 22’ x 60’ pad cost $15,000 to $30,000

• Options include raised trough designs and center trough designs

• May use bag filters in troughs

Raised Trough Entry

• wash water enters

the 3 holes

• Holes are closed

when not washing so

that rain/storm

water is diverted to

the marina runoff

system

Small Sump Design

• 24” x 24” x 32” deep

• Entries & exits for the

electrical service, sump

pump discharge and

Recycle System Drain

• Simple to maintain &

clean, minimizes odor

problems

Center Trough Design

• Unlimited Equipment

movement

• Trough / Grate feeds

the water to a diversion

selection point where

wash water is sent to the

Recycle System and/or

rain water is diverted to

the storm runoff area

• Trough is cleaned at

close of each wash day

Center Trough Pad

• 6’ Fence- overspray

• Pad slope : 1/8”/FT

• Sump Pump feeds in-

ground settling tank

• Recycling Equipment

picks up water from in-

ground tank

• Designed for 400 +

boats

Recycling Equipment is located in heated building for winter operations.

Above Ground Settling Tank

• 500 gallon settling cone Tank – settle out large particles

• Used with large washing operations (300 – 500 boats)

• Settling tank feed water to a transfer tank/pump that feeds

the Recycling System

• Recycling System is equipped with auto-circulation that

circulates all water/tanks through a UV light treatment and

bromine oxidation unit to mitigate organics and eliminate

odors

This pad is built on a hard surface area.

Pad is designed for very large forklift loads for dry storage facility.

New pad to be built in the area where the boat is.This is a fill area and will require driven piles to support the load of a 50 ton travel lift and large forklift.

Unique Design

• 1000 gallon in-ground

settling tank

• 400 gallon above ground

settling tank w/bag filter

• feeds to a Settling Pond

on site

Filter Cloth – over pervious pad

• Temporary solution – Connecticut

• Will install a wash pad in 2010

Portable or Temporary Use Wash Pads• Constructed with impervious materials

• Cost Varies: $5 to $15 per SF

• 22’ x 60’ = $6,600 to $19,800

• Many Manufacturers and suppliers – Hydro Engineering, Kyoto

• Proper preparation of area underneath the pad is critical

• Wash water may be pumped or vacuumed from collection area

Retrofitting Existing Concrete Pad• Save Money! Take advantage of exiting pad

• Boatyards and marinas with Travel Lift equipment have a heavy duty

pad that is used as a wash area.

• Determine slope and water flow on the pad

• Use curbs or burms to guide the water

• Use manufactured trough & grate to intercept and collect the water

• Use manufactured collection boom to intercept and collect water

• Must allow for proper handling of rain and storm water

• Must capture and contain the wash water

Determine Pad Slope• Survey levels• Use water

Manufactured Trough Drains with Grate

• Manufacturers – Nationwide – Factory Installers

• Modules designed for specific load applications

• Can retrofit or install in new pad

• Modules designed to slope in desired direction

Manufactured Boom Collectors

• Designed in modules

• Many designs are equipped with vacuum pump

• May be used with temporary pads

• Modules designed to slope in desired direction

Retrofit Options for Existing Wash Pad

• Existing pad size: 32’ x 80’

• Slopes to the bulkhead pickup area

• Is serviced by a 30 ton Travel Lift and large forklift

• 18” thick concrete pad – 20 years old – structurally sound

• Has minor surface cracking that can be sealed

• Two options

Install Commercial Drain System & Collection SumpExisting Pad Size: 32’ x 80’ Retrofit Cost: $10,500 to $12,500

Install Curbing & Collection SumpExisting Pad Size: 32’ x 80’ Retrofit Cost: $1,500 to $2,500

Existing pad slopes to the front• Install gutter to drain water to sump - $2800• Install factory drain with trough cover- $6000• limited curbing required - $800• Provide Flow-Through Forklift Stop- included

Wash Pad Collection Designs

• There are viable options for almost all

marina operations – permanent pads,

portable pads, retrofitting existing

• Marinas should establish “Best Management

Practices”

• Marinas should use “ Best Available

Technology”

• Consider “Environmental Fees”

NPDES – 2010

• Will see more and more marinas meeting the

NPDES regulations