In our harbours, untreated sewage can contaminate the shellfish we eat or make water unsafe for swimming for a long time after its discharged.If you’re a boat owner, help protect our harbours by disposing of your boat sewage properly. To report pollution, phone our Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639.Boat sewage is a serious risk to human and animal health and the environment.To continue to enjoy Northland's coast and safely gather and eat kaimoana (seafood), our waters must be kept free of sewage. There are strict rules covering sewage discharges from boats in Northland waters – these apply to every type of boat or craft. Untreated boat sewage must be discharged well outside of any harbour or at a marina pumping facility.It is illegal to discharge ‘Grade A' treated sewage within 100 metres of a marine farm. It's also illegal to discharge ‘Grade B' treated sewage within 500 metres of a marine farm or gazetted Maitaitai Reserve.Boat sewage is much more concentrated than sewage from land because it has not been diluted or treated. It is estimated that an untreated discharge from a single weekend boatie can put the same quantity of bacterial pollution into the water as the treated sewage from thousands of people on land.Boat sewage can contaminate the water with long-living viruses and nasties which can cause harmful diseases, like Hepatitis A, or severe stomach upsets.Shellfish can become unsafe to eat for weeks after exposure to sewage as they are filter feeders – they concentrate viruses and other nasties in the water. Shellfish in estuaries and bays are particularly at risk because any contaminated water in them usually takes longer to flush out.There are different ways you can comply with marine pollution regulations, including:- Using on-shore toilet facilities - Using an ordinary portable toilet and taking it ashore to empty it - Installing a sewage holding tank on your boat Installing a sewage treatment system on board.If you suspect a boat is illegally discharging sewage, phone the Northland Regional Council's 24/7 Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639
