The Alternative

Creating Space for Technologists to Tackle Wastewater Challenges on Cape Cod


December 19, 2024

The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) is a program of the

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

Where are the Advanced Systems Hiding?


As towns struggle with the need to stem the flow of human-produced nutrients like nitrogen into our shared groundwater, ponds, bays, and estuaries, over 4,000 Innovative/Alternative (I/A) Septic Systems have been installed across Barnstable County as a means to reduce nitrogen output. Check it out: this I/A System Map shows you how many there are in each town!


I/A systems, which contain various mechanical components not included with standard Title 5 systems, need be maintained on a regular basis. Additionally, effluent from I/A systems must be monitored to ensure that the system is removing nitrogen to an established standard. Individual towns are tasked with ensuring that this upkeep is completed routinely.


Enter the I/A tracking program which provides innovative/alternative septic system compliance monitoring services to 14 towns in Barnstable County via a publicly accessible online database. The database allows system operators (state-licensed wastewater treatment operators who are contracted by homeowners for system maintenance) to easily upload the required maintenance and sampling reports.


This web-based reporting system has become a model for several states and jurisdictions nation-wide.


(Image: Centerville homeowner Jane Ward's I/A system hidden by lots of pollinator plants)

Learn More Here

Welcome to Our Newest Team Member Alexandra Nicolosi!

Welcome to Alexandra (Allie) Nicolosi, our new Septic Utility Program (SUP) Project Assistant!


Allie comes to the Septic Utility Program (SUP) team with years of experience in both municipal and private sector positions. She previously worked as the Director of a Health Department, and has experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. She hopes to combine her love of public health with her passion for environmental wellness, utilizing her knowledge and past experience with Title 5 and wastewater to support SUP in its mission to better water quality and ecological health throughout Barnstable County.


Allie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University. She is also a Title 5 Soil Evaluator. A perfect fit for the team!

See Our Team

MASSTC on Circuit Films' Great Ponds Series


We were honored to be part of Circuit Films' Great Ponds series. In the second episode of this docuseries, Martha’s Vineyard’s coastal ponds continue to be adversely affected by the rising sea-level and temperatures of climate change, and an influx of nitrogen from septic systems and landscaping runoff. In response, the Great Pond Foundation, Vineyard Conservation Society, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, Wampanoag Environmental Laboratory and others make vital and cooperative efforts to revive the herring, shellfish, and eelgrass populations.


While offering hope, this film urges the public to consider its nitrogen and carbon footprints, in relation to the ponds’ survival. Director Ollie Becker and team are currently in production on Episode 3. If you would like to support the continuation of the Great Ponds series, please consider donating here.


(Catch MASSTC's Bryan Horsley in the film at 35:42!)

Watch

The Waste No Water Library Tour Ends (Thank You!)


When we kicked off our Waste No Water Library Tour in April 2024, we had no idea how many of you would come out to talk about wastewater. We knew that many people wanted more information about how to navigate wastewater infrastructure, new laws and choices that weren't necessarily sewering in their town, but would they show up to talk about it at a library?

The resounding answer was yes.


Hundreds of you came out in person to 12 different libraries. The librarians, a force of their own, reached out to their networks through newsletters, social media, local papers and calendars to over 40,000 subscribers proving once again, that the library is one of the most influential places in town. We are so grateful for collaborative efforts from the towns in bringing selectboard members and water and sewer commission members to their local libraries.


We also would be remiss if we didn't give a huge thank you to all the pond groups out there. You are all incredible and fighting hard to keep your towns' ponds clean. Thank you for all of the work you do.


What's next? Stay tuned for an exciting 2025 that includes the April launch of (part 1) of our Clean Water Center where we'll be offering onsite education for the trades, local government, landscapers, realtors, environmental groups, homeowners and more.


The more we come together, the stronger we'll be to tackle all the wastewater challenges ahead of us. Stay close.

MASSTC

Phone: (774)-330-3019

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