New boat wash facility opens at Geneva, Ohio, on Lake Erie

Geneva, Ohio — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) recently unveiled a new state-of-the-art boat wash station at Geneva Marina located in Geneva State Park through the Ohio Clean Marinas Program.

The new boat wash station uses a system that cleans and reuses water from power washing and prevents harmful materials contained in the wastewater from running off into Lake Erie, such as algae, paint chips, and invasive species like zebra mussels or aquatic plants like hydrilla. The wastewater is then treated with bromide and UV light, so it can be reused, saving water and money.

“As a platinum-certified Ohio Clean Marina, it is important to us that we are taking every step to protect Lake Erie,” said Geneva Marina Manager Jim Witt. “This boat wash treatment station is helping us do that by keeping bottom paint and other toxic chemicals out of Lake Erie.”

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With the completion of the boat wash station, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program hosted two special workshops to educate marina owners across the state about pressure wash water management and other environmental issues. These workshops included presentations on the environmental risks associated with boat bottom washing and hands-on field trips to Geneva State Park, and Huron Lagoon and Holiday Harbor Marina to showcase best practices in action.

In addition to pressure wash water management, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program offers workshops on a variety of topics essential to marina sustainability, including stormwater management, marine debris, green infrastructure, aquatic invasive species control, and boat shrink wrap recycling with the goal of engaging these businesses to become a certified Ohio Clean Marina.

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a free, voluntary program that recognizes boating facilities committed to implementing environmental best practices. Participants benefit from sustainable marketing, free incentives, and technical assistance on regulatory compliance. Contact the program at ohiocleanmarinas@osu.edu for more information.

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a collaborative effort between the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft, the ODNR Office of Coastal Management, and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program designed to encourage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions.