A Quarter Century of Cleaner Waters: M.S. POOP Turns 25

There’s a quiet force at work on Martin County’s waterways—one that most people don’t see, but everyone benefits from. For 25 years, the Martin Ship Pump Out Operation Program, or M.S. POOP, has been keeping our rivers, lagoons, and coastal waters clean, safe, and vibrant for residents, visitors, and wildlife alike.

Launched in 2000 with a single boat and a part-time operator, M.S. POOP has grown into a full-scale operation, now removing over 2.5 million gallons of untreated sewage and completing more than 60,000 pump-outs. It’s a program built on innovation, dedication, and foresight. Making it easier than ever for boaters to do the right thing and protect the waters we all enjoy.

What makes M.S. POOP extraordinary isn’t just the numbers. It’s the people behind it: county staff who manage the boats, community partners who support the mission, and residents and visitors who care about the environment. Together, they’ve turned a practical service into a quarter-century-long legacy of environmental stewardship, protecting wildlife, supporting local businesses, and maintaining the quality of life that makes Martin County special.

M.S. POOP is proof that thoughtful programs, consistent effort, and community collaboration can achieve remarkable results. For 25 years, it has protected and preserved the beauty of our waterways, demonstrating that caring for the environment can be simple, effective, and rewarding for everyone involved. To learn more about the M.S. POOP and how to schedule a pump out, visit the M.S. POOP website.

To learn more about Keep Martin Beautiful and how you can get involved in projects and initiatives to protect our environment, visit the Keep Martin Beautiful website or follow Keep Martin Beautiful on Facebook and Instagram.