Help support this site and visit our sponsors.
Although the law actually states that you are not to have the Y-Valve on an inland lake in Texas, the law seems to be open for interpretation. In order to both comply with the law and make the modification user friendly to the public Mr. Moses, Game Warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife, stated that he is looking for modifications that would prevent an overboard discharge that could not be easily changed back. Such things as locking the Y-Valve or removing the handle could be easily replaced should one decide to pump overboard. In the event the minds eye is still a bit foggy perhaps some illustrations will clear things up a bit.
Your current configuration probably looks something like Fig 1.At least the RED hose leading from the holding tank to the macerator will need to me removed and capped (green) in some manner. Either by a PVC fitting or a rubber stopper and clamp. (see fig. 2) This, according to Dale Moses, ranger with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, will make you compliant.
This should be sufficient but you may want to consider removing the pump (see fig. 3) as well. Even though Texas Parks and Wildlife sees this (fig 2) as compliant, other enforcing entities on the lake may not. I asked Mr. Moses if the other enforcing entities agencies with this configuration as being compliant and he said yes. Use your own discretion on this one.
In short here is what you will need to do:
- Fill out the *"Application to Certify Boat Sewage Disposal Facilities" and send it in with your $15.00 to get your "Clean Water" decal.
- Find out if your boat provides a way for you to discharge your waste into the lake. (Do you have a Y-Valve on your holding tank?) If you don't, your in good shape. If you do you will need to reconfigure your holding tank as shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3.
If you are interested in reviewing the law itself, you may read it here.
*This application was not available on any web site that I could find so I have created it myself using an original application as the template. Use at your own discretion.
The information in this article was based on the research I did that entailed several phone conversations with various agencies and marinas. I never received any definitive answer to what exactly is compliant, only what will be expected by one local enforcement agency, Texas Parks and Wild Life. Please use the information in this article as a guide and not the rule.