CRUISE SHIP POLLUTION: A GROWING PROBLEM FOR OUR WORKING WATERFRONTS AND OUR BEACHES

Cruise ships generate an astonishing amount of pollution, up to 25,000 gallons of sewage from toilets and 143,000 gallons of sewage from sinks, galleys and showers each day. Currently, lax state and federal laws allow cruise ships to dump untreated sewage from toilets once the ships is three mile from shore. Within three miles, cruise ships can dump sewage from toilets that has been treated, by marine sanitation devices which have been shown to be inadequate. In addition, sewage from sinks and showers can be dumped without treatment.

Our coastal environment is at risk from the threats of bacteria, pathogens and heavy metals generated in these waste streams.