Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan - Sewer Expansion Workshop | April 8, 2025

Watch the meeting. AI supported summary below. Corrections welcome.

This workshop provides an update on Barnstable's Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) and related sewer expansion project. The goal is to address coastal water impairment caused by nitrogen and meet regulatory requirements.

Key Points

• The Problem: Coastal waters are impaired by nitrogen, leading to groundwater and pond water quality concerns. This also impacts economic development and necessitates regulatory compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance: The town must meet Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for nitrogen. Septic systems are a major source (78%) of controllable nitrogen. New Title 5 regulations and watershed permits are key aspects of compliance.
• Watershed Permit: Barnstable is the first town in the state to apply for a watershed permit under the new regulations. This permit allows the town to implement its CWMP instead of requiring individual homeowners in nitrogen-sensitive areas to upgrade to expensive alternative septic systems.
• CWMP Implementation: The CWMP is a 30-year plan divided into three 10-year phases. The town is currently in year four of phase one. Two construction projects have been completed on time and on budget.
• Phase 1 Goals: Focus on sewer expansion along Route 28, adjacent to impaired ponds and lakes in Centerville, addressing economic development needs, and sewering flood zones.
• Sewer Connection Process: Homeowners will receive a sewer connection form to indicate their preferred service location. Licensed sewer installers will handle the connection and septic system abandonment.
• Financial Resources: The town offers options to finance the sewer assessment through property taxes. The Cape Cod Aqua Fund provides low-interest loans for sewer connections.
• Communication and Outreach: The town uses mail, email newsletters (E-News), in-person meetings, and door-to-door outreach to communicate with residents. The barnstablewaterresources.com website provides comprehensive information. The town is working on an interactive map to allow residents to proactively find out information about sewering in their area and neighborhood.
• Website Resources: The website includes information on the CWMP, phase one projects, sewer connection process, anticipated costs, alternative technologies, water quality monitoring, FAQs, and reports/documents.