Tests by water treatment specialists at RWO indicate how shipowners waste money when they are persuaded to use non-OEM filters in their oily water separator systems.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) sets specific demands for the water treatment equipment fitted on board ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, including oily water separators (OWS).

The International Maritime Organization instrument limits effluent levels of water discharged into the marine environment limits to 15 parts per million, with specific classification notations applying a tighter 5 ppm limit. To demonstrate their compliance, OWS systems must be tested and installed in line with the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee resolution MEPC 107(49).