Keep Our Waters Clean

Keep Our Waters Clean is a program that helps educate boaters and recreationalists about clean and safe boating habits, including the use of pumpouts and restrooms.

The program is sponsored by local water providers, cities and counties in the Sacramento region and is made possible by partnerships with marinas, boat stores and educational outlets along the Sacramento and American rivers.

LOCAL WATERWAYS ARE A SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER

Lakes and rivers are a source of drinking water for millions of Californians.

To help protect drinking water sources, boaters should always use restrooms, pumpout facilities and properly recycle used oil and dirty bilge water.

Human waste contains viruses and bacteria that can make people sick and harm fish and aquatic life.

Bilge oil from boats and personal watercraft can harm valuable aquatic life and the environment.

WHAT IS A PUMPOUT?

A sanitary pumpout is a facility found at many local marinas that is used to remove wastewater from your boat's holding tank.

Always use a pumpout to empty your holding tank, even if you have a Type I or II Marine Sanitation Device (MSD).

PREVENTING POLLUTION

About 90 percent of the oil in waterways comes from boat bilges, outboard motors, poor fueling procedures, urban runoff and improper disposal of used oil products.

Here are some ways you can help prevent this pollution:

• Use drip pans and absorbent pads when draining oil from bilges
• Keep engines well-tuned, regularly check for leaks and change oil filters often
• Place oil absorbents in the bilge area and recycle or properly dispose of the used absorbent at a certified oil disposal facility
• Keep bilges clean, maintained and do not use detergents while cleaning
• Don't mix used oil with other substances
• Before pumping the bilge use oil/water separators or absorbents to remove the oil from the bilge water
• Remove oily bilge water at a bilge water pumpout station

RESOURCES

• Program Brochure
• Map of waterways, restrooms and pumpouts
• Program Brochure, Spanish (Folleto del program)
• Kids Activity Booklet
• Facebook Page

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or would like to request materials, email keepourwatersclean@kowc.org or call 916-808-5454.

PARTNERS

California State Parks | County of Sacramento - Department of Regional Parks, Recreation, and Open Space | CSUS Aquatic Center | Effie Yeaw Nature Center | Nimbus Fish Hatchery | The Sacramento Museum of History, Science, Space and Technology

SPONSORS

Carmichael Water District | City of Folsom | City of Roseville | City of Sacramento| City of West Sacramento | County of Sacramento, Department of Water Resources | Folsom State Prison | Sacramento Area Sewer District | East Bay Municipal Utility District | Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District | Sacramento Suburban Water District | San Juan Water District

BOAT STORES

Marinas