The Alternative

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

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

The Lights Are On!

The lights and electric are officially on at MASSTC's new Clean Water Center!

Back in September, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced a $1,975,000 grant through Mass Tech Collaborative’s (MassTech) Innovation Institute to expand and enhance MASSTC's Clean Water Center which is part of the Regional Government of Barnstable County. The state grant was matched by a $1,315,696 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award to Barnstable County.

With this grant, MASSTC is enhancing its research facilities, building education for a wastewater workforce and leveraging connections with academic institutions and the private sector to overcome wastewater treatment challenges.

Sampling 14 I/A Systems on Shubael Pond

Last week, the MASSTC team was out at Shubael Pond sampling 14 I/A systems located in the Sand Shores neighborhood in Marstons Mills, MA. The pond is one of many freshwater ponds on Cape Cod experiencing an increase in toxic algal blooms leading to pond closures during summer months.

In 2022, the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and MASSTC joined a partnership with the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other stakeholders to implement nutrient management solutions in the Three Bays watershed. This project replaced Title 5 septic systems with innovative/alternative (I/A) systems designed to reduce nitrogen inputs from wastewater. These upgrades began with a demonstration project including 14 homes in a neighborhood abutting Shubael Pond.

Each I/A system that is installed as part of this project is being monitored monthly for nitrogen removal performance. Additionally, groundwater monitoring wells located up and down gradient from participating homes are monitored to determine the aggregate effects of the I/A systems on groundwater pollutants including nitrogen and contaminants of emerging concern.

The Vineyard's Lagoon Pond Looks to Eco Sanitation to Combat Septic Waste Pollution

In a recent study by the Martha's Vineyard Lagoon Pond Association, "The damage to Lagoon Pond is extensive, and an intensive effort is necessary to restore its health. If as few as 1,200 households in the Lagoon Pond watershed prevented their septic nitrogen from entering the groundwater, the Lagoon Pond could maintain a robust and safe environment for plants and aquatic life."

Read more below around what's next and their research into urine diversion as a possible solution.

Bridgewater State University Survey on Urine Diversion Solutions

Graduate researchers from Bridgewater State University are seeking public input on wastewater pollution, local water quality, and community perspectives on efforts to address these issues. It also assesses opinions on current approaches to water management, interest in sustainable solutions like Urine Diversion Toilets (UDTs), and the factors influencing their adoption. Your feedback will help inform future solutions and support effective water management policies in Cape Cod and the Islands.

The purpose of this study is to understand the awareness of Cape Cod and Islands residents regarding local wastewater challenges and to explore interest in potential solutions to improve water quality.

Note: You can only take the survey if you are a resident or homeowner in one of the following MA counties: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, or Plymouth.

Town Sewer Updates!

Cape Cod Times 'Devastating.' How 2 Cape towns face million-dollar shortfalls on wastewater plans: "Ongoing wastewater projects in some Cape Cod towns could be reduced or halted because of unexpected proposed cuts in a clean water funding program of the state Department of Environmental Protection."

The Cape Cod Chronicle Phase One Sewer Deadline Nears for Orleans: "With a deadline looming, approximately 70 percent of property owners in the first phase of sewer construction downtown have connected to town sewer or are in the process of doing so. But those who fail to comply could potentially risk financial penalties if they don’t."

Capecod.com Towns Oppose State Funding Change That Could Cut Millions For Cape Water Quality Projects: "Select board members said the change would devastate water quality projects, with towns unable to shoulder the debt associated with wastewater otherwise."

The Cape Cod Chronicle Funds For Next Phase Of Chatham Sewer Project: "Funding for the next phase in the town’s comprehensive sewer expansion project will go before voters at the May 10 annual town meeting."

The Provincetown Independent Select Board Delays Vote on Watershed Management Plan: "The town’s long-awaited targeted watershed management plan, which involves building a sewer system for the central district and applying new septic system rules to most other properties, was discussed at the select board meeting on Feb. 25."

Town of Mashpee Mashpee Sewer Construction Updates: The Sewer Commission will provide updates on construction progress and delays on this page.

Bourne Enterprise Bourne’s proposed Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Under Scrutiny by State Officials: "The Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan looks at options for reducing nitrogen pollution and improving coastal water quality. These plans are required by the Cape Cod Commission’s 208 plan and typically take three to four years to complete, following steps required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)."

(Patch) Centerville Sewer Expansion Moves Forward: This project is the third major sewer expansion project under Barnstable’s 30-year Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP). Staff from the Barnstable Department of Public Works hosted a public information meeting on October 1, 2024, which provided an overview of sewer construction in the area.

That meeting can be watched here.

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