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The San Francisco Estuary Project's Boater Education Program

Sailors, fishers, and many other kinds of boaters enjoy the waters of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, a unique spot for year-round boating. Boaters can, however, impact the quality of the Estuary waters they enjoy. In particular, untreated sewage discharged from boats can cause localized effects on water quality and public health, especially in semi-enclosed marinas and harbors where minimal water flushing occurs. Sewage from houseboats and other liveaboard vessels is a particular concern in parts of the Estuary, specifically Richardson Bay, Alviso Slough, Redwood Creek and the Delta.

Under a Clean Vessel Act grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, the Estuary Project manages a dynamic education/outreach program aimed at encouraging boaters to use pumpout and dump stations rather than discharging directly into the Estuary.

The untreated sanitary discharges of one devoted weekend sailor produces an amount of bacterial pollution equal to that of 100,000 people whose wastes are treated.

For more information:

Boater Education Materials

Clean Boating Guides:

Each guide includes a map with locations of pumpout and dump stations throughout the Bay-Delta region. Boaters can also learn more about the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary's natural resources, the environmental impacts of boat sewage pollution and how to boat clean and green. Two guides are available:

Note: Hard copies of these maps are also available for Free from the staff contact below. Large quantities (up to 200 of each map) are available.

Marina Tenant Insert
Targeted to marina berthers, this fact sheet summarizes information about MSDs and pumpout stations. Available in hard copy from the staff contact below.

Staff Contact

Karen McDowell
San Francisco Estuary Project
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
510-622-2398
kmcdowell@waterboards.ca.gov