Funding for Marine Pump-Out Facilities & Pump-Out Boats
Funding for Marine Pump-Out Facilities & Pump-Out Boats supports Rhode Island marina and public-entity projects that build and maintain sewage pump-out services to protect coastal waters and prevent boat sewage discharge.
Funder: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Due Dates: March 6, 2026 (spring-project priority) | November 1, 2026 (final deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to 75% of eligible costs; application-form caps range from $1,875 to $56,250 by project type
Summary: Grants support marine sewage pump-out facilities and boats that help protect Rhode Island coastal waters.
Key Information: Awards require a 25% grantee match and are paid by reimbursement after project completion and inspection.
Description
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) funds the construction, replacement, retrofitting and maintenance of marine sewage pump-out facilities, as well as the purchase, operation and maintenance of pump-out boats. The program supports pump-out services in Rhode Island marine waters so boaters have an accessible alternative to discharging sewage.
DEM runs the program as a competitive partnership with the marina industry to maintain Rhode Island’s federal No Discharge designation for all marine waters. The work is intended to reduce pathogen contamination in coastal waters, including waters near shellfish harvesting and swimming areas.
