7/14/2011 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Minutes

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M L' Mashpee Environmental Oversight Committee Minutes of Meeting July 14 at 7:00 p.m. Mashpee Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room Present: Chairman John Cahalane, Rick York, George Petersen, Ted Theis,Peter White CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Cahalane at 7:05 p.m. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES April 14, 2011 Mr. Theis made a motion to accept the minutes of April 14th. Mr.Petersen seconded the motion. There were 4 votes in favor and Mr. White abstained. COMMUNICATIONS There was no public comment. NEW BUSINESS Bioremediation,Ted Theis Mr. Theis described bioremediation as bacterial assistance for sewer treatment, septic systems and ponds. Bioremediation works with activated sludge and sewer plants, septic systems and aeration/filtration attempts to create the best atmosphere possible to allow the natural bacteria to work. Systems fail because the cleaning products used by people kill off the natural bacteria in the systems. The addition of aggressive specialized bacteria consumes sulfates, phosphates, nitrates and other pollutants and assists the existing natural bacteria. Ponds and waterways use available bacteria to.. eliminate pollutants such as phosphates. When the natural microbes become overwhelmed,the excess nutrients cause eutrophication. Mr.Theis referenced an example at a chicken factory where bioremediation was utilized and the surface was cleared in 8 '/2 weeks. Mr. Theis also referenced a grease trap system that reduced grease by 85%after 50 days. All pollutants were significantly reduced in the leaching field after one year. The systems have been approved by BEP and the Water Resources Authority, and have been used in 17 states and 7 foreign countries. Mr. Theis noted that there were 1,500 companies in the business and that an RFP.could be written specifically to address what was expected to be accomplished. The Chair inquired about bacteria that would consume phosphorus and Mr. Theis confirmed that there was a bacteria and that it would not impact anything else_ Mr. Theis'company uses only natural bacteria. Mr. Theis referenced a project that reduced phosphates by 41% in under 1 year. Chairman Cahalane inquired why bioremediation was not pursued in the AECOM study and Mr. York stated that it was listed and the option dismissed,and 1W.Petersen added that it was dismissed with no justification. Mr. Petersen continued noting that data processes were not specified or consistent and that old data was utilized. Mr. Petersen stated that alternatives were eliminated and reduced to dredging, alum treatment and circulation and suggested that the study may have missed its mark. Mr. York agreed that there were some problems with the initial design, even from the three proposals, but that it was fairly comprehensive. Mr. York continued that the Committee analyzed the alternatives and asked for AECOM's recommendation. Mr. Petersen stated that some parts of the pond have artificial levels due to dams and Mr. York confirmed that the pond was artificially expanded and that the old data included observations from residents with information about the past. Mr. Petersen stated that the report did not include mapping