More and more countries are introducing legislation to limit discharge, so anyone planning to cruise away from their home waters should seriously consider fitting a holding tank. There is no doubt that in years to come there will be more restrictions, not less.
Netherlands
From 1st of January 2009, release of black water from any type of recreational craft is prohibited. All existing yachts with toilets must be equipped with holding tanks of adequate capacity as of January 1st 2009.
United Kingdom
Direct discharge of sewage into inland waters is prohibited. Codes of Best Practice are strongly encouraged.
France
Recreational boats equipped with toilets and built after January 1st 2008 which enter maritime or inland ports must be equipped with an installation that permits either storing toilet water or treating it.
Spain
All vessels built in May 2004 or later must have a holding tank installed.
Baltic Sea
The Helsinki Convention for the protection of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) recommends installation of toilet retention systems on all ships. The Recommendation is still awaiting transposal into national law.
USA
Since 1980 all boats in US waters with a permanent toilet must be equipped with a Marine Sanitation Device. Waters of special concern (drinking water, shellfish beds and others) can be designated a No Discharge Zone, where treatment devices of any type can not be used.
Download: Dometic Clean Water pdf guide
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