Blackwater & Greywater |
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What is Blackwater? |
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| Blackwater is any waste from a toilet or
urinal. It contains disease causing organisms
that can result in human illness by direct
contact or by consumption of affected fish and
shellfish. It also contributes to the build-up
of unwanted nutrients in ecosystems. Under no circumstances are blackwater discharges into the river permitted. All blackwater must be contained on-board and pumped for disposal into a land based wastewater collection facility. The RMBOA Blackwater Holding Tank Calculator can be used to estimate the time between pump-outs of a holding tank or to estimate the size of holding tank required to have a desire duration between pump-outs. |
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What is Greywater? |
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| Greywater is any wastewater than is not
blackwater. That is, the waste water from sinks,
showers, washing machines, dish washers and so
on. From 2011, greywater regulations come into
force in relation to private vessels on the
river. Vessels will be classified as low or high risk vessels and graded levels of greywater containment and/or treatment will be required. All commercial vessels and private vessels with permanent occupants or with multiple showers and/or appliances like dish washers and washing machine will be classified as high risk vessels. High risk vessels will be required to contain all greywater for land-based disposal, or fitted with greywater treatment plants to ensure water returned to the river has been adequately treated. The RMBOA Greywater Holding Tank Calculator can be used to estimate the requirements for a greywater holding tank, either for holding greywater before treatment, or holding greywater until is pumped-out at a Waste Disposal Station (WDS). Low risk vessels will be required to contain water from the kitchen sink (where practical) and to implement behaviours on-board that will reduce the quantity of, and contamination in, greywater discharges. Members of the RMBOA has access to Greywater Standard Operating Procedures that have been reviewed by the EPA. The RMBOA Rambler magazine available to members also has articles on implementing greywater requirements. Aerofloat which is a corporate member of the RMBOA has provided information about a greywater processing plant that may be suitable for smaller private vessels that do not meet the requirements of a low risk vessel. |
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EPA Audits |
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of South Australia is charged with the protection of the environment in South Australia. Part of their duties is to ensure that vessels in the Murray River are compliant with current regulations. Under current regulations, the EPA is authorised to board unattended vessels for the purpose of inspecting the vessel for compliance with environmental regulations. The EPA has kindly provided information to the RMBOA about the check lists they use and the forms that they send to boat owners.
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