July 17, 2017: The East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD) is proud to announce that they will be replacing one of their gas-powered pump out boats with a fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump out vessel. The Shoreline Regional Pump Out Boat Program serves the waters off of Branford, East Haven, Guilford, New Haven and West Haven.

To complete this project, ESDHD and the Shoreline Regional Pump Out Boat Committee will be hosting several events including a "kick-off event" at the Stony Creek Brewery, as well as a golf tournament at The Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club & a Thimble Islands Boat Cruise.

Since 2000, the Health District has administered a "Federal Clean Vessel Act" grant that provides operating funds to reduce waste in the Long Island Sound. Currently, two pump-out boats operate Friday through Monday, from May through October. Any recreational vessel using waters from any of the five towns listed above may have their vessel's waste holding tank pumped, free of charge. Over the past 17 years, this program has pumped well over 300,000 gallons of sewage, which may have otherwise ended up in the water.

ESDHD is in the process of working with a local marina to build a fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump out vessel—which will be the first pump out boat of its kind—to replace one the gas-powered vessels. ESDHD is excited to enhance their ability to keep our waters and environment as clean and safe as possible for residents of the shoreline. CT DEEP has funded this project at 75 percent, tasking ESDHD with fundraising the remaining money to build this vessel.

ESDHD will be hosting several fundraising events for what is being affectionately referred to as "Mission: Zero Emissions" over the next few months. They include:

- Kick-Off Fundraising Event on Friday, July 21, 3-5pm at Stony Creek Brewery (Rain date July 28).

- "Mission: Zero Emissions" Golf Tournament at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, on Thurs. September 21. Shotgun start at 1pm (Rain date Sept. 28).

- Thimble Island Boat Cruise: Join Captain Mike and the crew of the Sea Mist as you tour the famous Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford on September 21.

- "Mission: Zero Emissions" Banquet Dinner at the Pin Orchard Yacht & Country club following the Sept. 21 golf tournament and the cruise.

ESDHD has also set up a "Go Fund Me" page so that members of the community may contribute. Visit the page here

Special thanks to The Guilford Foundation, Greater New Haven Green Fund, Richard Squeri Insurance Agency, The Branford Yacht Club, Lynn's Restaurant & Delicatessen, Hornet's Nest Deli, Branford Shellfish Commission, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and our fantastic Pump Out Boat Committee for all of their support thus far. For further information, contact Bri Weller at the East Shore District Health Department, serving the towns of Branford, North Branford, and East Haven at (203)-481-4233 or by visiting our website at www.ESDHD.org.