Nothing may go into the water
The boat's toilet must not be emptied into the water, whether on a lake or out in the archipelago. The only exception is k-marked boats. The ban covers all lakes and waterways plus designated coastal areas, which in practice means all Swedish territorial waters.
The reason is eutrophication. Sewage feeds algae and carries bacteria into bays where people swim.
What the harbour must provide
- A marina must accept toilet waste, household rubbish and hazardous waste from boats.
- This is set out in Transportstyrelsen's regulation TSFS 2023:12, which came into force on 1 May 2023.
- The pump must work, cope with the season's boats, be easy to reach and be repaired quickly when it breaks.
- The municipality approves the marina's waste plan.
The municipality is responsible for enforcement
Since 1 May 2023, the municipality is responsible for oversight. If a harbour has no plan or broken reception facilities, the municipality can charge a penalty fee since January 2024. Transportstyrelsen's harbour map is no longer updated, so call the municipality if you want to know where the pump-out stations are.
It used to be enough for the harbour to have a waste plan in a binder. Now it must be submitted and approved. TSFS 2023:12 replaced SJÖFS 2001:13 and is based on EU rules against marine litter.
Fees
Waste is usually already paid for through the berth fee, harbour fee or guest harbour fee. For toilet waste the harbour may also charge a direct fee for part of the volume.
Other waste from the boat
- Household waste: in the harbour's bins.
- Hazardous waste: waste oil, oil filters, oily rags, paint tins and old batteries go to the harbour's environmental station or the municipal recycling centre.
- Waste oil must never end up in water, soil or drains, according to the waste oil ordinance.
Is the environmental station full or locked all summer? Contact the municipality. They are responsible for oversight.
What to do as a boat owner
- Get a holding tank or a portable toilet. Direct discharge is not allowed.
- Look for the pump-out symbol in the harbour. It comes from the SS-EN ISO 8099 standard.
- Empty the tank often and take your rubbish ashore.
- Call the municipality and ask where the nearest station is.
- Need a new tank, hoses or valves? Ask a yard for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can you empty a boat toilet into the water?
No. It is banned for leisure boats in Sweden. Only heritage-listed (k-märkta) boats are exempt.
Where do I empty my holding tank?
At a pump-out station in the harbour. It is marked with the international pump-out symbol, and the municipality knows where the stations are.
Who checks that the harbour accepts waste?
The municipality, since 1 May 2023. If the harbour has no plan or reception facilities, the municipality can impose a penalty fee.
Is there a charge for pumping out the toilet?
Sometimes. The harbour may charge directly for part of the toilet waste. The rest is included in the harbour fee.
Does the ban apply to lakes too?
Yes. All lakes and waterways are included, along with the designated coastal areas.
Sources
- Avfall från fritidsbåtar, Transportstyrelsen transportstyrelsen.se
- Mottagning av avfall i hamn (TSFS 2023:12), Transportstyrelsen transportstyrelsen.se
- Symbol för sugtömning, Transportstyrelsen transportstyrelsen.se
- Förordning (1993:1268) om spillolja, Sveriges riksdag riksdagen.se