As Bay Area residents head out to enjoy the water this summer, the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities is stepping up to remind boaters about the role they play in maintaining the cleanliness of our rivers. The department's Keep Our Waters Clean program aims to educate those who take to local waterways on best practices for pollution prevention. "Our rivers are great places to recreate but boats are a surprising source of waterway pollution," Emma Burke, an outreach specialist for the city, told Sacramento City Express.
Apart from offering natural sanctuaries and recreational opportunities, rivers also serve as vital resources for drinking water. Therefore, it's crucial for boaters to not inadvertently compromise these waterways. According to the same Sacramento City Express article, boaters can follow three simple steps. First, they should use public restrooms and properly dispose of pet waste to avoid introducing harmful bacteria and parasites into the environment. Second, boaters are encouraged to always use pumpout stations to remove wastewater from their boats, thus preventing nutrients that promote harmful algal blooms from entering the water.
Moreover, the Department of Utilities emphasizes the importance of recycling used oil and dirty bilge water properly at designated facilities. The presence of pollutants like oil and fuel in bilge water poses a serious risk to both wildlife and the river's health. For help finding these resources, boaters can consult CalRecycle’s website for facilities that recycle used oil and can also check the CA State Parks website for pumpout station locations.
"While these are some of the simplest ways boaters can help keep our waterways clean, they also happen to be some of the most effective," said Burke, as stated in the Sacramento City Express article. It is a clear appeal to the boating community to thoroughly consider the ramifications of their actions when out enjoying the natural beauty of our water systems.
