Annapolis Harbormaster Halts City Pump-Out Service Due To Virus

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After Saturday, the city's pump-out service will no longer be available. The decision was made by City of Annapolis Harbormaster Beth Bellis, in consultation with Annapolis Fire Department and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The last pump-outs will be allowed March 21 and will be banned throughout the city's declared State of Emergency for the new coronavirus.

Last fall, the city and Anne Arundel County petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to create a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) in all waters in the city and county that originate within its borders. The EPA’s decision to approve the petition is likely to come in late spring or early summer. The suspension of the Harbormaster pump-out vessel simply means boaters will migrate to self-service stations at land-based marinas. The law requiring pump-outs stays in place.

“We are making the decision to suspend pump-out operations in the interests of staff safety and public health," said Bellis in a statement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is currently unclear if novel coronavirus COVID-19 can be transmitted through sewerage systems. SARS, a similar coronavirus, has been detected in untreated sewage for up to 2 to 14 days.

Below is a link provided by the City of Annapolis that lists area pump-out stations, including self-service pump outs. https://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/pumpout/annapolis.asp