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
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
Adventure Mountain Sports
American Marine Sports
American River Raft Rentals
Barry Paulsen's Boat Center
Boarders Paradise
Brothers Boats (Folsom)
Brothers Boats (South Sacramento)
Bucks Outboard Repair Inc.
C&C Marine
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Chip's Marine Services
Classic Marine
Cope & McPhetres Marine
Dan's Prop Shop
Kevins Quality Marine
Larson Marine
Marine Center
Max Harrison’s Marine Center
Morrison Marine
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River Rat Raft & Bike Rental
Sacramento River Marine
Shipwreck Marine
The Raft Store
Ultimate Water Sports
Water Ski World
West Marine (Rocklin)
West Marine (Sacramento)
West Marine Express (Broadway)
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Marinas
Alamar Marina
Cliff's Marina
Freeport Marina
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Metro Marina
Rio Ramaza Marina
Riverbank Marina
Sacramento Marina
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Sacramento Yacht Club
Stan's Yolo Marina
Verona Village River Resort
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