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Pump sewage for river's sake

Friends of the Rappahannock seeks to expand river-protection efforts downstream with its 'Pump for the Rivah' program.

Date published: 4/29/2006

By RUSTY DENNEN

Friends of the Rappahannock is synonymous with river protection in the Fredericksburg area.

Now the conservation group is looking to expand its efforts downstream to the Chesapeake Bay with a new program aimed at boaters and homeowners.

"Pump for the Rivah," modeled after a cleanup initiative in Solomons, Md., seeks to have boat owners dispose of waste at approved marina dump stations.

In addition, homeowners with septic tanks along the Rappahannock and its tidal creeks are asked to have them regularly pumped and inspected. That's meant to support the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. In Fredericksburg and most of the surrounding counties, and east into the Northern Neck, the Bay Act requires that septic tanks be pumped every five years.

Despite years of public education campaigns, "People are still dumping their boat [sewage] directly into the river," said John Tippett, FOR's executive director.

Along the shore, malfunctioning septic systems overflow, with the same result.

Bacterial contamination from many sources--primarily human and animal waste--has caused the closure by the Virginia Department of Health of numerous shellfish beds.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, nutrient pollution is the most serious threat to bay water quality. Nitrogen and phosphorus promote algae growth, which clouds the water and robs oxygen from fish and other marine organisms.

Boat waste and runoff from improperly maintained septic systems on land contribute to the problem.

Bob Wayland, a longtime FOR member who lives in White Stone in Lancaster County at the mouth of the Rappahannock, stopped on Solomons Island last year while sailing the bay with his wife.

A poster at the marina advertising the "Pump for the Bay" project by the Calvert County, Md., Environmental Commission, caught his eye.

"It focused on septic systems and it seemed like a good idea to me," Wayland said. "I thought it would be a good idea to include boaters also."

He talked with Tippett, and Pump for the Rivah was born. It was officially launched last week.

FOR put up some seed money and Wayland, the volunteer project coordinator, began contacting marinas and septic tank pumpers to enlist their help as sponsors.

"We want to try to raise awareness about good sewage management to protect the aquatic resources that we all hold dear," Wayland said.

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Date published: 4/29/2006