Bilge water is potentially hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of properly to avoid environmental pollution.
The bilge is the lowest space in a ship. It is where water or leaked fluids tend to accumulate. Any release of fluids in the ship may collect in the bilge.
The liquid that collects is called bilge water regardless of its composition.
A bilge compartment or well is a delimited area where bilge fluid accumulates.
If the bilge water remains contained and if it is periodically pump out for hazardous waste disposal, then it does not pose a problem.
Ways that bilge water may pose a problem:
(1) it is pumped out and released unprocessed into the surrounding water
(2) it overflows and floods the engine room or other low-lying room
Hazardous materials that may be in bilge water:
(1) fuel
(2) lubricating oil
(3) coolant liquids
(4) asbestos
(5) cleaning chemicals and solvents
(6) sludge
(7) heavy metals
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