An overboard discharge (OBD) is the discharge of wastewater from residential, commercial, and publicly owned facilities to Maine's streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Commercial and residential discharges of sanitary waste have been regulated since the mid-1970's when most direct discharges of untreated waste were banned. Between 1974 and 1987 most of the "straight pipes" were connected to publicly owned treatment works or replaced with standard septic systems. OBD treatment systems were installed for those facilities that were unable to connect to publicly owned treatment works or unable to install a septic system because of poor soil conditions or small lot sizes. If an OBD is not properly maintained, or if the OBD malfunctions, it has the potential to directly discharge untreated wastewater to the shore; therefore, preventative shellfish closures are implemented surrounding every OBD.
For information on OBD maintenance, refer to DEP’s issue profile on OBDs.
Septic system best practices (Information from Department of Health and Human Services).
The health of the nearshore marine ecosystem is significantly influenced by nutrients and pollutants from subsurface wastewater disposal systems (i.e. septic systems). The proper treatment and maintenance of septic systems in the shoreland zone can mitigate these impacts. Here are some tips from the Subsurface Wastewater Unit at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Homeowners can send questions for the Subsurface Wastewater Unit to the following email address: Subsurface.Wastewater@maine.gov.
This is a more compact training guide
https://www.nowra.org/Customer-Content/www/CMS/files/OWTS_Final_Septic_System_Users_Guide.pdf
Available funding programs
There are a handful of state and federal funding sources available for failing septic systems and replacing OBD systems. In addition, check with your municipality and/or regional planning organization (or Council of Governments) to inquire if there are any funding sources available.
State
- The DEP Overboard Discharge Elimination Grant may help fund the expense of a technologically feasible alternative that results in the elimination of an OBD if the residence is the owner's primary residence and if the combined annual income of less than $125,000. For more information, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/obdpara.html
- The DEP Small Community Grants Program has funding for municipalities to administer grants for residential and commercial properties that meet their income criteria. For more information, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/scgp.html
- The DEP Clean Water State Revolving Fund offers low interest loans to municipalities and quasi-municipal corporations (i.e., village corporations, sanitary, sewer & utility districts, etc.) for the construction of wastewater infrastructure projects. For more information, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/SRF/cwsrf/index.html
Federal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced the expansion of one of its programs, Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap, that could benefit communities struggling with failing septic systems or without existing wastewater infrastructure, including those that use overboard discharges as their wastewater treatment method. The program provides no-cost technical assistance as well as helps communities apply for funding to address their wastewater needs.
For more information, including who can qualify, and examples of technical assistance, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/closing-americas-wastewater-access-gap. To request assistance, complete this WaterTA Request Form, where a community representative or member can request no-cost technical assistance.
Participants will receive solutions-oriented help that will focus on their community’s needs and identify financially feasible options to improve their wastewater infrastructure. The goal is to collaborate with the community to identify and select practical, real-life solutions that work for everyone involved. Selected communities will be matched with an EPA contractor or grantee organization that has expertise specific to the community’s needs with septic systems and wastewater management.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) offers various funding programs that may be used to fund wastewater treatment projects in eligible rural communities. For more information visit www.rd.usda.gov/me or call (207) 990-9100, extension 4.
- The USDA RD Water and Waste Disposal Grant and Loan Program helps fund sewage and solid waste disposal and storm water drainage. Municipalities, nonprofits, and federally-recognized tribes may apply. For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/csjsm8f7
- USDA’s Single Family Housing Repair Grant and Loan Program offers low-interest loans available to homeowners with very low income. Homeowners apply directly. For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mpwev87t
- USDA’s Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program provides grants to qualified nonprofits and tribes to provide revolving loans to low-income households to install septic systems. Typically opens annually in the spring. Nonprofits and tribes may apply. For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/2p6k55yn