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Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Program and Pumpout Locations

Locations • Instructions • Why pumpouts break • Pointers •
Grant program • Protecting our environment

Pumpout Instructions

The instructions below apply to pumpouts commonly found in Washington. Instructions for other models or brands may vary; check with your marina manager to be sure you are using the right procedures for any other type of pumpout. Information is provided for the following pumps:

Keco and Sani-Station Stationary Units

photo of pumpout equipment
  1. Close nozzle on pumpout hose.
  2. Remove deck waste fitting cover from boat (attach nozzle to guard on deck waste fitting if available).
  3. Turn on pump.
  4. Open nozzle valve. Valves can be difficult to turn, so be persistent.
  5. Look at sight glass to observe flow.*
  6. When tank is empty, remove nozzle from fitting.
  7. Add sufficient water to your tank to rinse tank and hose.
  8. Replace nozzle in tank to complete the rinse.
  9. Close the nozzle valve.
  10. Turn off pump and return hose to holder.

* If flow doesn't occur within one minute, place nozzle in water for 10 seconds to find out whether the problem is on board or with the pump unit. If the pump draws water, close the nozzle and reinsert it in the deck fitting. Otherwise, check for an air leak in the line or a plug in the holding tank air vent.

Edson Stationary Unit

photo of pumpout equipment
  1. Unscrew waste deck fitting cap.
  2. Unwind hose all the way.
  3. Turn pump on by pushing green start button. Pump will run for 10 minutes.
  4. Hold nozzle in waste deck fitting. (Caution: open valve very slowly. Sewage should flow through the sight glass within seconds. If it does not: close valve; push red stop button; contact the port manager.)
  5. After sewage is pumped out, flush toilet with pump ON until sight glass runs clear.
  6. Flush hose with water.
  7. Rewind hose all the way.
  8. Close valve.
  9. Turn pump OFF by pushing red stop button.
  10. Rinse deck and equipment.

SaniSailor Portable Unit

Part 1 – Pumping sewage from your holding tank

photo of pumpout equipment
  1. Attach intake vacuum hose to intake (right) side of the pump head via the quick connect fittings.
  2. Keep suction hose ball valve shut while system is not in operation.
  3. Make sure both white arrows on ball valves located at intake (right) and discharge (left) sides of pump head are pointed towards the tank.
  4. Open ball valve on intake hose.
  5. Place appropriate hose fitting or tapered end into discharge location on vessel (deck fitting). Do not over fill tank. Too much pressure can cause tank failure.
  6. Continue pumping until no sewage is passing through sight glass on intake hose. Let air run through pump for a short time to clean line. Preferably run several gallons of water through system.
  7. Take intake hose from deck fitting.
  8. Turn off system.
  9. Shut ball valve on intake hose.

Part 2 – Emptying portable unit into sewage system.

  1. Transport pumpout unit to location of sewage discharge to sewer line or septic tank.
  2. Attach one end of the five-foot hose to the discharge (left) side of pump head.
  3. Attach the other end of the hose to point of discharge.
  4. Turn both ball valves located at intake (right) and discharge (left) side of pump head until white arrows on valves are pointed AWAY from the tank.
  5. Connect the free end of the short hose running from the outlet (left) end of the pump head to the point of discharge or sewage.
  6. Start system. Run until holding tank is empty. Spray the tank clean to avoid odors lingering in the tank.
  7. Turn ball valves so that the white arrows are pointed TOWARD the tank. System will not discharge sewage out of the intake line.
  8. Unplug system and store.

Waubauchene Systems

photo of pumpout equipment
  1. Turn the key clockwise to ON.
  2. Select ON-AUTO-CYCLING position on the toggle switch.
  3. Close valve on suction hose.
  4. Remove waste outlet cap. Screw the correct size of deck fitting into the WASTE outlet of the boat.
  5. Connect hose to the deck fitting using quick connect coupler on the end of the suction hose.
  6. SLOWLY open valve on the hose. A clear hose shows when the boat is empty.
  7. When the boat is empty, close hose valve. Remove the quick connect coupler from the deck fitting. Remove the deck fitting from the waste outlet. To clear hose of sewage, open hose valve when vacuum is present.
  8. Please put away hose and fittings.
  9. When pumpout tank is full, it will automatically stop and a red light will indicate FULL or DISCHARGE.
  10. Please select OFF position on toggle switch when finished.

Thank you to the following manufacturers for providing information about operation of their pumpout units:

  • Edson Pump-Out Stations
  • Keco "Pump-A-Head"
  • Waubaushene Vacuum Systems
  • EMP "SaniSailor"