Holding tanks on Thames

[martinriches]

I plan to take my boat up the non tidal part of the Thames this summer.I have a holding tank which can be either pumped out or discharged to sea via a macerator.How could this be 'sealed to prevent discharge'as required by Enviorment agency? Also how hot are they about compliance with boat safety scheme.

Thanks in advance
Martin

 

[Elza_Skip]

I think it is sufficient to disable the outlet to sea by securing the seacock in the closed position with a cable tie or similar.

You could look at the boat safety scheme website for more info

 

[Captain Coochie]

There are a few pump out stations at the locks up and down the non tidal part but im not sure how they work cause ive not got a holding tank .
From memory they are at Molesey lock , Shepperton Lock , A fuel point near Chertsey lock also has this service .
Im sure there are more as you go up river but i never seem to make it past Windsor /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
As for sealing the outlet not to sure till i get to the boat where that info is but im sure ive heard somewhere a cork/plug will pass .

 

[byron]

Loads of poopoo outlets both NRA and at marina's etc. Visitors are not subjected to enforcement of poopoo laws, anyway if you have a holding tank you comply even though you can plop it overboard if you want.

 

[nickcred]

Try this- list all pump outs

http://upriver.users.btopenworld.com/resources/resource.htm

regards Nick

 

[Captain Coochie]

Thanks for that , handy list to keep on the boat .

 

[Oen]

In theory, the lock keepers at Teddington check that the discharge sea cock is sealed closed and would accept a cable tie or similar.

In practice, I've never heard of them checking, and never been checked. Given the number of animals, birds, fish, campers, drunks, etc, pooing and peeing in the river, I've never thought there was much point in the whole thing, anyway...

 

[Phill]

[ QUOTE ]
Loads of poopoo outlets both NRA and at marina's etc. Visitors are not subjected to enforcement of poopoo laws, anyway if you have a holding tank you comply even though you can plop it overboard if you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that right? Surely there must be some legislation about emptying holding tanks correctly.
Do people empty them in the river? I hope not, my kids regularly swim in the river!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[martinriches]

Thanks for the advice
Martin

 

[alistairedw]

It is isn't the holding tanks you need to worry about, but Thames Water. When there is any kind of heavy rain in SW London the storm drains get overloaded and the Mogden water treatment plant dumps vast quantities of raw sewage straight into the Thames at Isleworth.

Doesn't seem to cause any upstream problems but from Isleworth downstream it gets pretty horrible and kills lots of fish.

 

[byron]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Loads of poopoo outlets both NRA and at marina's etc. Visitors are not subjected to enforcement of poopoo laws, anyway if you have a holding tank you comply even though you can plop it overboard if you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that right? Surely there must be some legislation about emptying holding tanks correctly.
Do people empty them in the river? I hope not, my kids regularly swim in the river!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Of course it is against the rules to dump overboard. I was just observing there's dozens of poopoo outlets.

 

[oldgit]

Have come through the lock at Teddington from the big bad world outside and have never had our sea toilet "checked" you just fill in the form,hand over your 70 quid or whatever and carry on.
Think you are basically on your honour not to foul the river if at all possible.