Park Improvement Project – Mobile Pump-Out Program

South Puget Sound Mobile Pump-Out Program

Puget Sound is a defining scenic feature and economic asset in Western Washington. Waste discharged from vessels navigating the Sound poses safety risks and threatens the environment of this remarkable natural resource. This summer, we provided matching donor funds for a mobile pump-out program for boats in South Puget Sound, reaching Blake Island, Fort Ward, and Illahee State Parks. 

The Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) delivered the program and completed 40 pump-outs in 2024. From May to June, weekend and holiday boaters benefitted from a traveling pump-out boat that conveniently met them where they were to dispose of waste. The program collected 810 gallons of waste in total, potentially saving waste from Puget Sound’s waters. 

Efforts like this help keep Puget Sound healthier for people, marine life, and the Sound’s ecosystem. Shellfish, a staple in the region’s economy, can easily be harmed by waste and threaten human health if consumed when polluted. This program supports boaters and encourages stewardship of Washington’s waters. 

Our support provides essential private matching funds to a Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant, and would not have been possible without our donors. The pilot program launched in 2023, and RBAW is excited to partner with more boaters to build upon the success of the last two years in 2025.