Houseboats

Do you have a boat that you call home? Because many of your daily functions are done on the water, you are in a unique position to protect our waterways from pollution.

Dealing With Waste

• Sewage contains intestinal pathogens, such as viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can be harmful to humans and wildlife. Your house boat is legally required to be equipped with one of the following:
  • An operable Coast Guard certified marine sanitation device, or
  • A self-contained portable toilet or other on-board portable sewage reception system that prevents the overboard discharge of treated or untreated excrement, sewage, or other waste matter or contaminant of any kind, or
  • A legal connection to a permitted public sewer system.
• Always empty your holding tanks at a pump-out facility and never discharge any sewage into waterways. Visit the California Parks and Recreation Department’s Division of Boat & Waterways to find pump-out locations.