6/1/2010 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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sub-watersheds next to the bay flow directly into the salt water and l00%of the nitrogen enters the bay, therefore,the best investment would be to sewer those particular areas. However, New Seabury and Popponessett Island are seasonal developments with limited load throughout the year, suggesting that the ideal location for sewering would be in a neighborhood with a year round population. Sterns& Wheler/GHD analyzed the load per parcel, figuring in seasonality, and identified 162 separate planning zones (located on the disk). The Chair also stated that 35%attenuation occurs by biological processes in the river, such as with Mashpee, Santuit and Quashnet River, reducing the nitrogen that travels to the bay. The gray areas on the map, north of the ponds, experiences 501/6 attenuation so it would be less cost effective to remove nitrogen in that area. It was noted that Title V systems are not adequately removing nitrogen. Mr. O'Hara questioned the location of discharge if existing systems can accept additional load and whether the regional plant would be a solution. Chairman Fudala stated that the regional plant would require that discharge be returned to each of the towns, which may make it a costly option. The Chair further stated that Dr. Howes had recommended avoiding the Mashpee and Quashnet watersheds but to consider such locations as New Seabury and Shoestring Bay (Willowbend) where there is greater capacity for nitrogen. Additionally, discharge could be considered north of Johns and Ashumet Ponds where three tax taking sites are available. Mr. Lyons questioned the direction of the water flow and the Chair referenced the USGS groundwater modeling which represents the official watersheds. The Chair also noted that USGS has completed the particle tracking model that identifies the time of travel and will be working on a solute transport model which will identify the concentration of nitrogen. Mr. Camberari discussed the project in Chatham and recommended that the group consider their approach to meeting the TMDLs while balancing issues such as cost and discharge locations. Mr. Camberari suggested the possibility of utilizing Mr. Lombardo's system at an existing facility to remove nitrogen that may be entering a sensitive watershed. Mr_ O'Hara questioned whether or not enough information was available to consider Mr. Lombardo's system. Mr. Lombardo suggested that federal funding may be available to facilitate the use of the system, but that it would be a rigorous process. Mr. Camberari stated that the reactive barrier wall was complex and site specific and would require a pilot program. Mr. Camberari also highlighted the five phase plan in Orleans that would eventually convert their cluster satellite systems into pumping stations. Mr. Lombardo shared prospective locations for his systems, highlighted in yellow. Members discussed Pirates Cove as a prime location for such a system. Mr. Lombardo suggested that a proposal could be written to request funding but the Chair responded that it could be part of the plan but no funding is available at this time. Referencing the watershed private sewer systems map which identifies existing treatment plants,the Chair reported that the orange areas represent proposed and treated service areas. Copies of the map will be forwarded to Commission members. Chairman Fudala reported that two more treatment facilities have been proposed and would be added to the 7 existing treatment plants. Mr. O'Hara questioned expanding the existing plants and then determining additional wastewater needs. Mr. Klenert noted the legal ramifications of working with public and/or private facilities. The Chair confirmed that Mashpee would negotiate with individual facilities, further noting that some plants seem to be more interested in working together than others. Nitrogen removal from each of the plants varies from 2.5 to 10 to 70,which are impacted by seasonality issues. The Chair questioned whether unused capacity as a result of Title V could be used with the DER Chairman Fudala stated that expansion would be considered for systems with buildings where the technology could be updated. Commission members agreed that locations for discharge would be a priority. It was also suggested that treatment plants be enhanced by using the permeable reactive barrier/Nitrex filter. 3