2005-SEWER COMMISSION - Laserfiche WebLink

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Combined the wastewater and non wastewater for a total. Those totals were compared to MEP analysis and are consistent. Report includes table of results. Wastewater nitrogen is 80-90% of controllable nitrogen in the watershed. To determine priority areas, considered whether area was identified in MEP analysis, is seasonal or year round, high load per acre or in a Zone 2. Town was divided into 3 groups, and color coded on a map: red being the priority area blue secondary and green lesser priority. The process has first established needs, will then review draft technology screening report and then start discussing alternative scenarios and eventually a recommended plan. Ken Malloy, Barnstable asked if any consideration was given to pond water quality? Jeff Gregg responded it is not part of the scope of the study. Focusing on nitrogen management in coastal embayment. There is not a full analysis on all ponds, except for phosphorus issue in Santuit Pond. There is no TMDL for phosphorus. Tom said the Sewer Commission will keep that in mind when locating facilities. Ken Malloy asked about consideration for Zone II and nitrogen getting into drinking water wells? Mr. Gregg said it is a consideration as to where discharge goes. Brian Howes, SMast said loads appear lower in the future than present-why? - Santuit Pond: there is no formal study for phosphorus yet it is a priority area? Is there a less expensive way to remediate that then sewering-keep that in mind. There are other ways to deal with phosphorus. Jeff Gregg clarified that the development of the needs is not dictating where the sewer will go. Brian Howes said people will see the color coded map and make that assumption. He asked why Johns Pond is a priority area and unlikely the town will realize improvement yet an immediate estuary is a blue, secondary area. Jeff said that is an excellent point. As the scenarios are developed, that will prioritize which areas get addressed and how. Now, the color coded maps are just establishing high nitrogen loading per acre relative to other areas. Travel time will get worked into the scenarios. Brian suggested another criteria should be will we see results, right away, for our money; then move onto the next areas. There are areas with such big loads that we just won't be removing enough nitrogen to see improvement. Tom thinks priority areas will be those with really dense development and year round. Jeff Gregg said there are many reasons to sewer and many other considerations. Brian suggests expanding the criteria. The goal is to restore the estuaries and deal with fresh water ponds. Sewering north of a pond has half the value of sewering south (because of natural attenuation). Tom asked Dr. Howes is he is able to model how quickly we would see results? Dr. Howes responded that it is in part an intellectual exercise: last to die is the first to recover. He can run models to say how fast. 2