Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 40. Protection of Environment § 40.1700.26 Graywater

Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) For discharges from vessels that have the capacity to hold graywater:

(1) Graywater must not be discharged in federally-protected waters or the Great Lakes.

(2) Graywater must not be discharged within one mile of shore if an onshore facility is available and disposal at such a facility is reasonable and practicable.

(3) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized within one mile of shore when an onshore facility is either not available or use of such a facility is not reasonable and practicable.

(b) For discharges from vessels that do not have the capacity to hold graywater:

(1) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized in federally-protected waters or the Great Lakes.

(2) Graywater must not be discharged within one mile of shore if an onshore facility is available and disposal at such a facility is reasonable and practicable.

(3) Production and discharge of graywater must be minimized within one mile of shore when an onshore facility is either not available or use of such a facility is not reasonable and practicable.

(c) Large quantities of cooking oils (e.g., from a deep fat fryer), including animal fats and vegetable oils, must not be added to the graywater system. Small quantities of cooking oils (e.g., from pot and dish rinsing) must be minimized if added to the graywater system within three miles of shore.

(d) Minimally-toxic soaps, cleaners, and detergents and phosphate-free soaps, cleaners, and detergents must be used in the galley, scullery, and laundry. These soaps, cleaners, and detergents should also be free from bioaccumulative compounds and not lead to extreme shifts in the receiving water pH. For purposes of this subparagraph, extreme shifts means causing the receiving water pH to fall below 6.0 or rise above 9.0 as a direct result of the discharge.

(e) The discharge of graywater must not contain oil in quantities that:

(1) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining shorelines;  or

(2) Cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the water or upon adjoining shorelines;  or

(3) Contain an oil content above 15 ppm as measured by EPA Method 1664a (as defined at 40 CFR 136.3) or other appropriate method for determination of oil content as accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (e.g., ISO Method 9377) or U.S. Coast Guard;  or

(4) Otherwise are harmful to the public health or welfare of the United States.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 40. Protection of Environment § 40.1700.26 Graywater - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-40-protection-of-environment/cfr-sect-40-1700-26/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard