Thank You

The Department of Natural Resources, Boating Services, would like to thank you for beginning the process that will result in your marina having a marine sewage pumpout facility. We appreciate your participation in this program and our staff stands ready to assist you in any way we can.

How to Apply Guide and Application Checklist

What is the Pumpout Program?

Essentially, Maryland's pumpout grant program allows a public or private marina to receive a reimbursement of up to $25,000 for the purchase and installation of a new pumpout. Installing such a system at your marina will give boaters a proper method of disposing of their sewage and thus prevent it from entering Maryland's waters. Supplemental funding for pumpout operations and maintenance is also available as is funding to upgrade/replace pumpouts to those who received grant funds.

Some Commonly Asked Questions

What is the Pumpout Grant Program and How Much is Available?
This program is funded by boaters through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (75%) with matching funds from the Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund (25%). A portion of taxes boaters pay on new boats, fishing tackle, and fuel go into the national Trust Fund and boaters pay into the state Waterway Improvement Fund when they pay excise tax on a boat in Maryland. DNR receives grants from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and we provide sub-grants to marinas for pumpouts. Therefore, there are some conditions involved in accepting the grants--see the last four pages of this document.

Essentially, Maryland’s pumpout grant program allows a marina to receive a reimbursement of up to $25,000 for the purchase and installation of a pumpout. Installing such a system at your marina will give boaters a proper method of disposing of their sewage and thus prevent it from entering Maryland’s waters. If you are interested in upgrading or replacing your current system there is additional funding available up to $20,000. Exceptions to these limits are considered on a case by case basis.

Other Frequently Asked Questions
​ This program’s basic requirements are contained in the grant contract, however, we thought it would be useful to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have more questions, please call us at (410) 260-8772. We will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns.

What pumpout would be best for my marina?
Because DNR is a state agency, we cannot recommend any particular system. We are happy, however, to discuss your marina’s situation with you and to offer you general guidance. Note-DNR staff are not engineers or plumbers. We only ask that whatever system you select have the capability of pumping out boat holding tanks and properly disposing of portable toilet waste (required by state law below). Acceptable choices include systems with portable toilet dump stations (that work essentially like toilets) and systems with wand attachments (that pump out the portable toilets).

Before you select a system, we also suggest that you review the plans for your pumpout installation with a couple of different equipment representatives and receive assurance (preferably in writing) that it will perform “as advertised” at your marina (with particular concern to the distance the sewage will be pumped, the number of turns, and any vertical pump distance). Given the environment the pumpout will be placed in, rust prevention and winterization requirements are also concerns. Although the number of choices for systems may appear overwhelming at first, help in making a decision is available from the equipment vendors and other marina owners that have previously obtained pumpouts. If you are interested you can also review a study done by Underwriters Laboratories that tested different pumpout units from a variety of manufacturers. This study is available on request to [email protected]. Believe it or not, before you know it, you’ll be the expert and people will be asking you!

Is my marina required to have a pumpout station?
Maybe. The Maryland Annotated Code, Environment Article §9-333 states: “By July 1, 1997 a marina that berths any vessel that is over 22 feet in length and has 50 or more slips shall have a pump-out facility and a waste reception facility on-site that is operable, adequate to handle any existing and increased flows, and accessible at reasonable times.”

What permits are needed to install a pumpout?
The waste disposal method for the sewage must be approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the local jurisdication (town or county)--typically the health department. Additionally, in most cases plumbing and electrical permits are required from the local jurisdiction for the work required to install a new pumpout station.

How do I get approval from DNR for a pumpout grant?
DNR accepts sub-grant applications that contain the items shown in the How to Apply Guide and Checklist and that are approved by the local health department and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Our grant manager will assist you in obtaining the necessary approvals. Federal rules also require that DNR conduct a risk assessment on our applicants, which is explained on page 4 as well.

Can I get a portable pumpout? What about slip side pumpouts?
Portable pumpouts are eligible for grant funding but marinas are limited to charging $5 per pumpout, just as with stationary pumpouts. Slip-side pumpout systems are rarely approved because they usually benefit only marina slipholders and not the general boating public. If you are interested in such a system, call the grant manager to discuss it at 410-260-8772.

What are the different installation options available? Can I use in-house labor to install it?
Installation labor most often is an issue in new, “first-time” pumpout projects. Not all contractors do both plumbing and electrical work, and some marinas are located in rural areas, where it may be difficult to obtain bids. Therefore, all marinas have a choice whether to have contractors do the labor or to do the labor in-house. If contractors do the labor, then competitive bids are required as noted below.

When one contractor is going to complete the entire installation, then three competitive bids are required. If two or more contractors are to be used (to complete different portions of the installation), then at least two competitive bids are required for each portion to be completed by a contractor. For example, if both a plumber and an electrician are required, then at least two plumbing bids and two electrical bids should be obtained.

Concerning labor that is completed in-house, the basic rule is that DNR only reimburses marinas for approved out-of-pocket expenses specific and necessary to the installation of a pumpout (such as the salaries of marina employees for the time spent on the project). We do not reimburse for any “mark-up” such as you would charge a customer and proper documentation/ proof of payment to the employee(s) is required prior to any reimbursment from DNR. Federal rules also prohibit DNR from reimbursing marina owners for work done on the pumpout. If you’re thinking of “doing it yourself,” give us a call and we’ll talk about it.

If a marina has a problem paying the money “up-front” can special arrangements be made to help finance an installation?
DNR is only allowed to reimburse a marina for the costs associated with purchasing and installing a pumpout. We cannot “up-front” the money. You can, however, make arrangements with us to receive partial reimbursements for equipment. Installation expenses are only reimbursed after a final inspection of the project is complete. You can even obtain a short-term loan from a bank and use the grant contract as collateral (sorry, we can’t pay any interest).

How does a marina submit for its reimbursement and how long does it take to get the money?
DNR needs to verify that the project is complete and operational before we release the final reimbursement money to you. When you receive approval to purchase and install a pumpout, we will provide you with a blank invoice form(s). Simply fill out this form, attach suitable proof of payments, and call us when the project is complete to set up an appointment for an inspection. You may present us with your reimbursement paperwork at the time of the inspection. You should receive your reimbursement in 4-6 weeks. Note: an inspection is not needed to receive a partial reimbursement for the purchase of pumpout equipment (as discussed above).

A suitable proof of payment is considered to be a copy of a canceled check, bank statement, a vendor’s invoice makred “Paid in Full”, dated and signed by an authorized representative of the company to whom you paid the money. Applicants are asked to provide a current W-9 form with your official business name, address and tax identification number with your application. Grant recipients must also have a current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

Contact program staff at [email protected] or 410-260-8772.