Barnstable and the Commonwealth Fiddle while Shoestring Bay Burns

Last winter we participated in several Mass DEP public hearings concerning the proposed septic upgrade regulations 310 CMR 15 and 314 CMR 21. Despite forceful push-back from some residents, politicians, and businesses, we hoped the state would move quickly and boldly towards stopping nitrogen pollution on the Cape. Last week we came back to our home on Shoestring Bay and saw the further degradation of our beautiful Bay.

The DEP has yet to finalize the new regulations and Shoestring Bay, and the entire Popponesset Bay watershed, is running out of time. Towns are still approving outdated, nitrogen-polluting septic systems along fragile waterways, with some homeowners flaunting the regulations, buiilding “3-bedroom homes” with 5-8 bathrooms and excessive wastewater flow rates. The MA DEP/Dept. of Health list of approved alternative nitrogen-removing septic systems is outdated and insufficient; their performance cannot meet the threshold of <5 MG/L Nitrogen within the effluent deposited to the leaching field within Nitrogen Sensitive Areas.

Once again, we want to propose an immediate plan of attack on this toxic mess:

• Set aside the 5-year testing period and fast track “General Use” approval for high-performing alternative nitrogen-removing systems. Washington State and Oregon have been using technology similar to the NitROE system for more than nine years!
• With new systems approved, Barnstable and Mashpee officials can put an immediate moratorium on any further build outs or replacements of polluting Title 5 systems within 100 years of any nitrogen sensitive area [NSA]

Restoring and maintaining good water quality doesn’t have a price tag on it but it does have a “clock on it.” It’s our responsibility to act now.