Here’s What Happens To Sewage On Cruise Lines
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Source: Think Progress
by Jeff Spross
Posted on December 4, 2014 at 9:08 am Updated: December 4, 2014 at 11:26 am
Cruise ships released over one billion gallons of sewage into the ocean in 2014, according to a new report from Friends of the Earth.
The analysis, which worked off of federal data, did show that some of the 16 cruise lines assessed are slowly becoming more environmentally friendly. But according to the press release from environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE), over 40 percent of the 167 ships in operation still operate using waste treatment technology that’s more than 35 years old. “Such antiquated treatment systems leave harmful levels of fecal matter, bacteria, heavy metals and other contaminants in the water,” FOE noted.
Federal law requires that cruise ships only dump treated wastewater if they are within three nautical miles of shore. But beyond that point, it’s essentially a free-for-all.
FOE also cites data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which shows “an average cruise ship with 3,000 passengers and crew produces about 21,000 gallons of sewage a day — enough to fill 10 backyard swimming pools in a week. That adds up to more than one billion gallons a year for the industry.” FOE also acknowledges this is likely “a conservative estimate,” because newer ships can carry up to 8,000 passengers and crew members, and because their analysis does not cover all ships and fleets worldwide.
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/12/04/3599528/cruise-lines-sewage-2014/
And that's not even counting the Kardashians!
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