The Alternative

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

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $825,000 in Grants to Improve Water Quality

Building on its commitment to protect and improve water quality, last week the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $825,000 in grants to the Towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Falmouth, Mashpee, Wellfleet and Yarmouth.

These grants will support projects aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution, which mostly comes from wastewater. Nitrogen in ground and surface waters can cause serious problems, such as harmful algae blooms that can affect both the environment and public health. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) selected these projects to help the towns meet compliance with the state’s updated Title 5 and Watershed Permitting regulations, which took effect on July 7, 2023.

PFAS Analysis Now Available at Barnstable County Lab

WCAI reports that the state recently certified the Barnstable County Water Quality Laboratory to test drinking water for the presence of PFAS, a group of chemicals that have been linked to serious health impacts.

WCAI’s Gilda Geist spoke to the lab's director, Dan White, along with County Commissioner Mark Forest, about the county's role in landing this certification and what this means for homeowners on Cape Cod.

WANTED: Podcast Intern & Water Quality Management Intern

Passionate about podcasts?

Are you passionate about podcasts and looking to hone your editing skills? We’re looking for a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join our creative team and help transform our One Drop Leads to Another podcast interviews into polished, engaging episodes.

Go here to learn more.

Water Quality Management

Barnstable County’s Septic Utility Program (SUP) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented intern to assist in maintaining the County’s Innovative/Alternative (IA) Septic System Database. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental data management, compliance monitoring, and municipal coordination while contributing to water quality initiatives on Cape Cod.

Go here to learn more.

Falmouth Urine Diversion Project Update

MASSTC is working to study and facilitate the development of eco-toilets as nutrient management tools that can help towns across the Cape and Islands improve water quality in our impaired estuaries, bays, lakes and ponds.

Both composting and urine diverting eco-toilet systems offer the ability to remove vast amounts of nutrients from our wastewater, yet these systems have not been widely adopted due to a variety of factors. Given their potential high performance, low cost, and eco-friendly features we are excited to help test and pilot their usage both at the Test Center and (pending regulatory approvals) throughout the Cape and Islands to help protect and restore our beloved aquatic ecosystems.

Head to the link below to read our March update on where things are at with the town of Falmouth!

Wastewater Updates!

(Sandwich Enterprise) Finance Committee Hears Update on Wastewater Efforts: "Sandwich, along with neighboring towns, has been trying to address wastewater infrastructure needs by connecting to Joint Base Cape Cod’s wastewater infrastructure system. However, obtaining a state and federal permit for treated effluent disposal has been the biggest hurdle in the process."

(Provincetown Independent) Truro's New 'Water Resources': “'One of the reasons why we have this very quick and easy-to-submit questions portal is because we — or I — have been hearing a few things going on in the community that are not true,' said board member Nancy Medoff, who is also one of Truro’s three members on the Provincetown Water and Sewer Board. She encouraged residents to check their sources and ask questions through the portal."

(Cape Cod Times) What's Up for Wellfleet? “'If this town wants to live, we have to sewer right now,' said John Cumbler. 'The Select Board is not helping the plan move forward.'”

(Cape Cod Times) Sewer project on Bass River Bridge causes heavy traffic in Dennis, Yarmouth: "Because of the deep gravity sewer work, 'there is no way to get traffic by,' Colby said."

(CapeCod.com) Sewer Construction Begins in Hyannis: "Private contractors in Hyannis have begun the first phase of a four-week sewer construction project in Hyannis."

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