Description
With regard to inland and coastal waters a growing number of countries and regions are enforcing rules and regulations which forbid release of black water (from toilets) into the marine environment. While also discharge of bilge water (which may contain e.g. lubricants, cooling water and leak water from propeller shafts) to a certain extent is prohibited in some countries and regions (section III refers), for the time being collection of grey water (e.g. waste water from galleys, wash basins, shower cabinets etc.) is – generally speaking – not considered a priority. Nevertheless regulating bodies demonstrate increasing interest in pursuing mechanisms to constrain the release of grey water into the marine environment. A number of surveys are being carried out on the issue, and it has to be expected that in areas where black water discharge is forbidden, the same may apply to grey water in the not too distant future.