MPOOP Marina Pumpout Program

Monroe County Marina Pump-Out Outfitting Program (MPOOP)

Marinas with ten or more slips, or with at least one live-aboard slip, are required by County Code to have a fixed pump-out system provided to their boaters. There are nearly 500 marine facilities throughout the Florida Keys with hundreds of liveaboard vessels at these locations, but less than 30 percent of these facilities have the required pump-out equipment.  

In addition, regardless of size, all marinas must provide signage educating boaters about pumping out waste. The link below provides standard signage requirements and samples for your use. 

It is ILLEGAL to discharge any waste in Florida Keys waters, which are part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Monroe County has adopted policies and regulations to increase the availability of pump-out facilities in order to reduce pollutant discharges to protect our nearshore waters.

To help with this effort, Monroe County created the Marina Pump-Out Outfitting Program (MPOOP).

The MPOOP program can help marinas with educational and technical guidance on funding opportunities and permitting for installing pump-out systems at their locations.

Required Systems

There are two types of pump-out systems that meet Monroe County requirements. Both are "fixed" and are known as stationary or plumbed systems.

  • A stationary pump-out station is one of the simplest and least expensive systems to install. It is often conveniently located near fuel or water sources where boaters access the station by docking next to it.
  • A plumbed, or centralized system, consists of a land-based pump station with suction plumbing located along the dock. If your facility has numerous liveaboard boaters, this type of system is the most effective way to collect waste because the vessel does not need to be moved from the slip to a stationary location.  

NOT ELIGIBLE: Pumpout vessels and portable collection tanks are two types of pump-out solutions that do not meet County requirements.

Pump-Out Logo from CVA with boat and pump-out graphic

Contact Us

  1. Celia Hitchins

    Sr. Administrator Marine Resources
    Email: Celia Hitchins
    Phone: 305-289-2505

  2. Brittany Burtner

    Marine Biologist / Planner
    Brittany Burtner
    Phone: (305) 289-2805

  3. Marine Resources

    Physical Address
    2798 Overseas Hwy
    Suite 420
    Marathon, FL 33050

    Phone: 305-289-2505

    Hours
    Monday - Friday
    8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Directory

Financial Assistance For Marina Pump-Out Projects

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a reimbursement-based grant program to help fund pump-out projects. The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant Program can fund up to 75 percent of eligible project costs relating to: 

  • site preparation
  • permitting
  • equipment purchase
  • installation
  • operations
  • maintenance
  • sewage hauling
  • educational outreach 

The CVA grant office accepts applications year-round, and grants are funded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Required Permits and Documents

You should first contact the CVA grant program to discuss your project. Each project is unique, and CVA staff can help you navigate your funding request. While completing the CVA grant process, marina owners can also apply for the two permits necessary to install a pump-out system within Monroe County. 

The first permit is a Sewage Collection and Transmission Permit from the Florida DEP. This permit ensures the effluent can be safely collected and processed.

The second permit is a plumbing permit from the Monroe County Building Department. Important items to include in your application are:

  • DEP permit
  • Engineered drawings and a Site Plan
  • Plumbing and Electric diagrams
  • Specifications from the pump-out manufacturer

Contact Information for Design Professionals, Contractors, and Pump-Out Manufacturers

A list of engineers, contractors, and pump-out manufacturers who have installed pump-out systems within Monroe County is provided below for your convenience.
*There may be other design professionals, contractors, or pump-out manufacturers capable of providing pump-out services within Monroe County that are not on this list. Note: a professional engineer registered in Florida must sign and seal the DEP wastewater collection/transmission system application. If you are a design professional, contractor, or pump-out manufacturer and wish to be added to this list, please contact burtner-brittany@monroecounty-fl.gov.

Design Professionals

Design Professionals Phone Website/Email Location
Rick Milelli, Meridian Engineering 305-293-3263 milelli@meridianengineeringflkeys.com Key West
Pablo Garcia  305-525-0611 Not Listed Key Largo
Reeb Engineering & Design 239-389-0078 martin@reebengineering.com Marco Island
Daryle Osborne, Keys Engineering Services 305-852-0262 mail@keyseng.com Tavernier
Weiler Engineering 305-289-4161 www.weilerengineering.org Marathon
Allen Perez, Perez Engineering

 305-293-9440 www.perezeng.com Not Listed

Contractors

Contractor Phone Website/Email Location
Bellingham Marine 904-358-3362 www.bellingham-marine.com Fort Lauderdale
Gary’s Plumbing & Fire 305-296-6013 www.garysplumbingandfire.com Key West
Gibus Plumbing Enterprises 305-852-8154 Not Listed Key Largo
Horizon Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors 305-592-6389 Not Listed Miami
Marino Construction Group 305-359-5269 www.marino-construction.com Key West
Mike Haack Excavating 305-872-8945 info@haackexcavating.com Big Pine Key
Page Excavating 305-481-4898 Not Listed Tavernier

Pump-Out System Manufacturers

Manufacturer Phone Website Email
Edson International 508-995-9711 www.edsonintl.com info@edsonintl.com
EMP Industries 800-355-7867 www.bestmarinepumps.com sales@empind.net
Keco Pump & Equipment 800-900-7867 www.pumpahead.com info@pumpahead.com