| (a) Boat pump-out stations shall be designed: (1) to provide a spill-proof connection with shipboard holding tanks; (2) with suction controls or vacuum breaker to limit suction to such levels as will avoid collapse of rigid holding tanks; (3) to provide fresh water facilities for tank flushing; (4) with a check valve and positive cut-off or other device to preclude spillage when breaking connection with a vessel being serviced; (5) to provide adequate interim storage, if required, prior to transfer to an approved sewage system for disposal; and (6) to ensure that any connection to a drinking water system is provided with vacuum breakers or other device designed to insure against backflow or siphonage of sewage or contaminated water into the drinking water system. (b) Mobile or floating boat pump-out stations shall be provided with adequate and spill-proof facilities for transfer to shore-based sewage systems or intermediate transfer facilities. (c) Sewage from a boat pump-out station may be disposed of only by the following methods: (1) after obtaining permission from the owner or operator of the sewage system, discharge into a sewage system operated under authority of a valid permit issued by the commission; (2) discharge into an adequately-sized on-site sewage facility permitted to receive boat sewage in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 366 and Chapter 285 of this title (relating to On-Site Sewage Facilities); or (3) pick up and discharge by a transporter registered under Chapter 312, Subchapter G of this title (relating to Transporters and Temporary Storage Provisions), for disposal at a facility permitted or authorized by the commission to receive boat sewage. |
