(1) Construction of vessel pumpout facilities at watercraft terminals located on or adjacent to state waters is encouraged by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, which is contained in PL-92-587. Proper construction, operation, and maintenance of these facilities will protect water quality and reduce the potential for the spread of water-borne diseases.

(2) Boaters are encouraged to learn how to use marina pumpout stations.

(1) Stationary pumping equipment should generally be located as close to the boat off-loading point as possible and where boats need to maneuver the least. All components of the vessel pumpout station should meet the setback distances required in ARM Title 17, chapter 36, subchapters 3 or 9, as applicable, except that compliance with the setback requirement between a holding tank and surface water is not included in this recommendation.

(2) Holding tanks should be located where they are readily accessible for inspection and maintenance. The bottom of the tank should not be deeper than 12 feet from the finished grade or access road for ease of pumping and maintenance.

(1) Vessel pumpout stations should include means of flushing tanks, lines, and other components that contact sewage. In addition, a pumpout facility should be equipped with a wash-down system to allow cleaning of portable toilets.

(2) Vessel pumpout stations should include a secondary spill containment system to prevent discharge to surface waters from spills, leaks, maintenance, servicing, or storage.

(1) All tanks, pumps, lines, hoses, and other equipment should be clearly marked as "nonpotable" with a permanent label placed in a conspicuous location.

(2) All discharge piping should be made of flexible, heavy-duty material that will be non-collapsing and non-kinking with locking interconnectors. Corrugated or ribbed hoses should not be used.

(3) Lines should be watertight and appropriately fastened or secured to the dock or pier. Forced main systems should contain appropriate "thrust" blocks and other security fastenings.

(4) All lines and hoses should have an approved backflow prevention device that meets the requirements of ARM Title 17, chapter 38, subchapter 3.

(5) A valve should be provided on the discharge line at the pump and on the suction hose at the nozzle. If a suction hose is to be installed in such a manner that sewage would discharge from the line when the pump is removed for service, a gate valve should be provided on the pump end of the suction hose.

(6) Positive locking connections on the end of the discharge line should be provided to prevent it from coming loose during discharge. A friction nozzle (right angle preferred) or wand-type attachment should be provided on the end of the suction hose. Adapters should be provided to fit any discharge connection from one and one-half to four inches in diameter.

(7) Discharge lines should be protected from freezing and prevented from leaking into the water.

(8) Suction hoses should be equipped with clear tubing or a sight glass on the suction end of the hose to allow the attendant to determine when pumping is complete.

(9) The connection between a suction hose and a vessel should include pipe splash guards or positive locking connections to prevent spilling from the suction hose or disconnection during waste discharge.

(1) Pumpout stations should meet the requirements of Department Circular DEQ-4, Subchapter 4.2, except where they conflict with this chapter.

(2) Pumps should be of a macerator type or have sufficient size suction and discharge openings to prevent clogging. Manually operated pumps should not be used.

(3) An event or hour meter should be installed on each pump.

(1) Holding tanks should meet the requirements of Department Circular DEQ-4, Subchapter 8.1, except where they conflict with this chapter.

(2) Vessel pumpout holding tanks should be sized to meet the requirements of Table 1 for the volume of sewage generated and the frequency of removal of material from the holding tank.

Table 1

Total Number of Boats Serviced with Holding Tank Between Licensed Septic Pumper Servicings	Minimum Holding Tank Volume (Gallons)
1-20	500
21-40	600
41-60	900
61-80	1200
81-100	1500
100+	2000

(1) Pumpout facilities designed to receive waste from portable marine sanitation devices should have a unit opening of a minimum of 12 inches in diameter and be equipped with a water tight cover that completely covers the receiving unit.

(1) All discharge from a vessel pumpout facility should be directed to a holding tank meeting the requirements of this chapter with removal and disposal by a licensed septic hauler as defined in ARM Title 17, chapter 50, subchapter 8.

(2) All collection systems should meet the requirements of Department Circular DEQ-4, Subchapter 4.1, unless modified by this chapter.

(1) Operation and maintenance of vessel pumpout facilities should generally conform to the requirements in Department Circular DEQ-4, Appendix D, with the following additions:

(a) for public facilities, hours of operation for vessel pumpout stations should be posted in a conspicuous place where readily observable by the public;

(b) hoses, pumps, and equipment should be flushed after each use by pumping clean water through the system which empties into an approved disposal area (never onto the ground or into the water) and to disinfect all suction connections; and

(c) the operator should wear appropriate protective clothing, such as gloves, and should wash his or her hands following contact with the system.