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<br /> Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay (CPWB) commended Mashpee for <br />strong environmental leadership, including regulations requiring I/A septic <br />systems within 1000 feet of surface waters. Expressing support for <br />Mashpee’s planned sewer expansion as critical to protecting Waquoit Bay. In <br />the Board of Health Meeting on January 21, 2026 – During public comments; <br />CPWB recommended stricter nitrogen standards for septic systems. <br /> <br /> Current understanding: <br />Mashpee allows General Use Approval I/A systems with nitrogen levels 19 <br />milligrams per liter (mg/l). <br /> CPWB recommendation: <br />require I/A systems achieving 10-11 mg/l nitrogen levels. <br /> Ms. Waltner notes there are at least two qualifying systems commercially <br />available and permitted under Massachusetts Department of Environmental <br />Protection Code 310 CMR 15.002. <br /> Reducing nitrogen from 19 mg/l to 10 mg/l as presented by CPWB, as a <br />practical step to decrease pollution impacting Waquoit Bay and Popponesset <br />Bay. <br /> Highlighted shared responsibility between Mashpee and Falmouth under the <br />Inter-Municipal Agreement for Waquoit Bay. <br /> Adoption of stricter standards would align both towns and support <br />collaborative environmental management. <br /> Mashpee’s significant investment in large-scale wastewater treatment <br />infrastructure is acknowledged. <br /> A key point was that many homes will not connect to centralized systems, <br />making improved septic standards essential. <br /> CWMP emphasized source reduction of nitrogen as cost-effective and <br />beneficial for long-term water quality. <br /> Ms. Waltner reiterated support for Mashpee’s ongoing efforts to address <br />nitrogen pollution. <br /> On behalf of CWMP Ms. Waltner offered continued assistance and <br />collaboration. <br /> Thanked the Board for its time and consideration. <br /> <br />Mr. Livingston asked which systems are provisionally approved. <br /> <br />Ms. Megaw speaks about some of the provisional systems that have lower nitrogen <br />numbers. <br /> <br /> NitROE <br /> Nitrex <br /> <br /> <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />