Wavestream Bilge Filter Systems: Cleaner Discharge, Simpler Compliance

Bilge water is one of those unavoidable realities of boating and commercial operations: a mix of water, oil residue, and debris that collects in the lowest part of the vessel. When that water is pumped out, it can carry pollutants straight into the sea.

Wavestream bilge filter systems are designed to tackle that problem at the point of discharge—helping ensure that only clean, oil-free water goes overboard by removing oils and other contaminants from bilge water.

What is a Wavestream bilge filter?

Wavestream is a bilge water filtration system installed after the bilge pump. By filtering the discharge line, it helps remove oils and contamination before water exits the vessel.

Wavestream systems are used across all types and sizes of craft and are available in four sizes. Depending on the application, multiple-cartridge configurations and stainless-steel systems are also available.

What does it remove?

While the headline benefit is oil removal, Wavestream is also designed to capture other common bilge contaminants, including:

• Oils and oily residues

• Microplastics

• Microfibres

• Paint flakes

That matters because these pollutants are persistent in the marine environment—small enough to spread widely, but harmful enough to impact ecosystems.

Installation: simple, practical, and retrofit-friendly

Wavestream is described as a straightforward installation: it is fitted into the system after the bilge pump. That makes it a practical option for both new builds and retrofits, without requiring a complete redesign of the bilge arrangement.

A key spec to plan around is pump performance. Wavestream systems have a recommended pump head of 4 metres across all systems, so it’s important to confirm your pump setup aligns with that requirement.

Maintenance: make it part of your seasonal routine

Like any filtration system, performance depends on maintenance. Cartridge change-out should be part of a regular maintenance schedule and should be completed at least every season.

If your vessel sees heavy use, operates in contaminated environments, or experiences frequent bilge pumping, you may need more frequent cartridge changes—your maintenance team can align intervals with real-world usage.

Type approval: confidence for professional operators

Wavestream bilge filter systems are Lloyd’s Register of Shipping Type Approved. For commercial operators, that type approval provides added confidence that the system has been assessed against recognised standards.

Who is Wavestream for?

Because Wavestream is available in multiple sizes and configurations, it can suit a wide range of operators, including:

• Leisure boat owners who want cleaner discharge and better environmental stewardship

• Workboats and commercial vessels looking for practical pollution control

• Fleet operators who want a repeatable, maintainable filtration approach across different craft

The bottom line

Wavestream bilge filter systems offer a practical way to remove oils and other contaminants from bilge discharge, reducing pollution before water leaves the vessel. With simple post-pump installation, multiple system sizes, and seasonal cartridge maintenance, it’s an approachable upgrade that supports cleaner operations on the water.

If you’d like, tell me what type of craft you’re writing for (leisure, commercial, workboat, marina fleet) and the typical bilge pump setup, and I’ll tailor this blog to your audience and add a tighter “how to choose the right size” section.