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 MASSTC $2 Million to Build Clean Water Center

Last week, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced a $1,975,000 grant through Mass Tech Collaborative’s (MassTech) Innovation Institute to expand and enhance the Clean Water Center at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC), which is part of the Regional Government of Barnstable County and is located on Joint Base Cape Cod.

The state’s award will support a nearly $3.3 million project that will expand MASSTC into an innovation hub for wastewater treatment, a growing need on Cape Cod and across the country. With this grant, MASSTC will enhance its research facilities and leverage connections with academic institutions and the private sector to overcome wastewater treatment challenges, which include a lack of nutrients, pathogens, and contamination from pharmaceuticals, micro-plastics, and “forever chemicals” like PFAS. The state grant will be matched by $1,315,696 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award to Barnstable County. 

Wastewater Division Director Brian Baumgaertel says: "The investments from the County and Commonwealth come at a critical time in Cape Cod's efforts to undo decades of damage to our fragile water resources by traditional septic systems. This funding will allow Barnstable County to better support Cape Cod's fifteen towns through a comprehensive suite of clean water programs, including technology research and development, infrastructure financing and management, workforce development, and public education."

MASSTC's New Clean Water Center Will Feature Urine-Diverting & Composting Toilets

As part of our clean water center expansion, MASSTC is installing a variety of eco-toilet systems! The goal of these installations is to offer public access, allowing hands-on experience with these systems and foster an understanding of how pollution source control technologies work. We’ll also be monitoring the systems' performance and experimenting with waste product reuse applications, so stay tuned for results.

In our microbiology lab we have selected a Wostman Eco-Flush urine diverting toilet and waterless urinal. This will divert all urine into a storage tank while managing feces in the same manner as a conventional flush toilet. 

Our operations building will have a Nature Loo Alectura dry composting and urine diverting toilet system and a waterless urinal. This system will divert all urine into a storage tank and capture feces in a composting chamber without using any water in the process! 

The new Clean Water Center office and training building will be outfitted with Jets vacuum flush toilet systems, waterless urinals and a greywater diversion system. The Jets toilets will flush to Advanced Composting Systems Phoenix composting chambers which will compost all fecal material into a usable and safe soil amendment. Urine will be diverted into a below ground holding tank for later reuse as fertilizer and greywater from sinks will be diverted into a separate tank which we plan to utilize to irrigate garden beds near the building entryway. With this system we hope to achieve zero wastewater effluent from this new building of 10 offices, a breakroom, and multiple meeting spaces.

Stay tuned for ongoing information about MASSTC as the go-to location for wastewater innovation!

The Waste No Water Tour Heads to the Osterville Village Library

We had an amazing turnout last week at the Woods Hole Public Library! There were many thoughtful questions about wastewater, I/A systems, eco-sanitation, and where/how we get our funding. We're thrilled that so many of you are interested in learning more about the impact of human activities on our sensitive ecosystem!

Join us for the next (10th) stop on our tour at the Osterville Village Library, October 3rd, 3 PM – 4 PM.

Each event kicks off with a showing of the recent Scientific American documentary "Yellow Tide" featuring MASSTC’s efforts, followed by a short presentation and Q&A. Expect to meet others who are interested in the topic of wastewater and want to gain a better understanding of how sewering, innovative/alternative septic systems, eco-sanitation, and homeowner mindfulness are just a few important pieces of the ongoing wastewater puzzle.

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