Clean Boating

The City of Avalon is committed to protecting our harbor water quality, but it doesn't stop there, and it starts with you!

We are excited for you to enjoy Avalon and our beautiful harbor, and to keep it beautiful we need your help. The following are some ways you can do your part:

  1. Reduce your use of toxic cleaning products. Choose less toxic cleaning products, such as non-phosphate, biodegradable cleaners. Learn how to find less toxic, less volatile, more biodegradable products (PDF).
  2. Plan Ahead. Dump at the Pump! Properly disposing of boat sewage makes a difference in water quality and the aquatic environments or waterways we all enjoy! Check out this informative Marine Sanitation Device and Y-Valve video, then download the free Pump-Out Nav App to locate your nearest pump-out and dump station and more.
  3. Stow it, don't throw it. Using reusable coffee mugs, canvas shopping bags and aluminum water bottles are just a few simple ways you can implement when we are allowed to start boating. Wanna learn more from home? Grab the kiddos, claim your favorite spot on the couch, and watch this Marine Debris video.
  4. Recycle, Collect, Report. Take the necessary steps to perform spill-proof oil changes and recycle your used oil and oil filters. Always use oil absorbents and dispose of them as a hazardous waste by visiting your County Household hazardous waste collection center or marina offering this service. Avalon has a public oil reclamation site at the fuel dock. Please make sure the oil is not contaminated with any other substances, including water. You may drop your used oil off during business hours which vary seasonally. Remember to never use soap to disperse fuel and oil spills; it increases harm to the environment and is illegal. Be ready and receive your CA Boater kit (JPG). Wanna get your hands on one? Watch the "How to Prevent Oil and Fuel Spills" video; we'll tell you how!
  5. Be a leader. Encourage others to adopt "green" habits. California's Boating Clean and Green Program is an education and outreach program that promotes environmentally-sound boating practices to marine businesses and boaters in California. The program is conducted by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and the California Coastal Commission.
  6. Follow the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for boat Wash-Down activities. The purpose of this BMP is to reduce or eliminate discharges of Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) to Avalon Bay from wash-down activities.