Proactive TMDL Compliance Strategy for Septic System Replacement

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1 Proactive TMDL Compliance Strategy for Septic System Replacement J. Jefferson Gregg, PE, BCEE Sr. Pr. Manager Maureen Wingfield, PE Sr. Engineer December 2017

2 Comprehensive planning on Cape Cod Overview Needs Assessment Technology Evaluations Public and Environmental Policy Review and Compliance Public/Stakeholder involvement Funding Options Evaluating Budgetary and Staffing Needs Prioritizing Projects Establishing Implementation Schedules Monitoring and Reporting

3 Challenges Cost Tourism Education/Outreach Demographics Environmental impacts and solutions

4 Nitrogen Impacts to coastal embayments limiting nutrient Other sources 5% Non-point source pollution residents only [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE] Nitrogen load on Cape Cod [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENT AGE] 85% population on septic systems (equating to approx. 13 MGD - assuming 180,000 people at 70 gpd/capita) 30% population on septic systems (equating to approx. 420 MGD - assuming 6 million people at 70 gpd/capita)

5 Case studies in parallel Demographics Basic approximate community demographics Chatham, MA 6,800 people year round 24 sq. miles 4 major embayment systems Summer population 25,000 Average age 54 Falmouth, MA 30,000 people year round 54 sq. miles 14 major embayment systems Summer population 75,000 Average age 45

6 Case studies in parallel TMDLs Nitrogen impacts to coastal embayments - % septic system nitrogen to be removed. Chatham, MA Falmouth, MA

7 Case studies in parallel Approach Examining two Cape Cod communities and how they address nitrogen TMDLs and reduce impacts from septic systems. Chatham, MA Plan to address nitrogen TMDLs for all of their coastal embayments Embayments 4 major systems Plan to sewer entire town Funded through tax rate Implementation - 20 years (TMDLs) Additional 10 years (entire town) Falmouth, MA Plan to address nitrogen TMDLs for 2 of their 14 embayments Completing plan for next 4 major embayments Sewer portions of Town, use pilot/demonstration projects to establish feasibility of other alternatives Implementation (2015 through 2041)

8 Case studies in parallel Project Philosophies Comprehensive review of technologies Chatham, MA 1. Sewer entire Town for fiscal fairness 2. Upgrade and expand existing WPCF 3. Fund project through tax rate only entire community benefits 4. Regional solutions with neighboring Harwich 5. Address adjacent stormwater needs as appropriate 6. Fertilizer bylaw Falmouth, MA 1. Sewer as little as possible 2. Make necessary upgrades to Wastewater Treatment Facility 3. Fund projects with no tax levy increase (debt drop-off) and betterments 4. Pursue demonstration projects, and evaluate with rigorous monitoring program Permeable reactive barriers Shellfish aquaculture Inlet widening Eco-toilets and denitrifying septic systems

9 Public and environmental policy review Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Massachusetts Department of Transportation Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Local Conservation Commissions Cape Cod Commission Boards of Selectmen US Army Corps Historic Districts

10 Public/stakeholder involvement - Board of Selectman meetings - Neighborhood meetings - Business Owner Meetings - Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requirements analogous to NEPA - Regional reviews Cape Cod Commission Development of Regional Impact - Web pages, newsletters, public notices

11 Case studies in parallel Project Funding Chatham, MA 1. USDA Rural Development Grant ($18M) WPCF 2. SRF 0% Loans 3. Paid for on the Tax Rate 4. Took advantage of debt drop-off so as to minimize tax increases 1. SRF 0% Loans Falmouth, MA 2. Environmental Justice Grant forgiveness 3. Took advantage of an existing MassDOT project to change order in small section of sewer to advance work and reduce costs 4. Property Betterments ($16,000 per EDU with balance on tax rate through debt drop off) 5. Petitioned longer betterment period and some tax exemptions and deferrals available for certain residents

12 Case studies in parallel Project Funding Funding Falmouth s size played an enormous role in the decision making process of implementation Budgetary and Staffing Needs Primarily Town DPW with future considerations $600M 2009 Plan $320M 2011 Plan $41M 2013 Plan

13 Prioritizing projects Need (estuary impacts, TMDLs, failing septic systems) Estimated cost of projects Conjunction with other improvement project Phasing with debt drop off Location relative to existing and future infrastructure

14 Chatham s prioritization efforts Groundwater Protection - Drinking water, Natural ecosystems Coastal Embayments - Shellfish/finfish, Eel grass, Recreation Freshwater Ponds and Streams Energy Needs Commercial/Industrial Parks

15 Falmouth s prioritization efforts Poor water quality in Little Pond Dense development, small lots Adjacent to existing sewer Planned for sewer extension as part of 1980 s Wastewater Plan Fish kills and odor issues 100% wastewater nitrogen removal recommended Photo courtesy of Paul Andrews of Aerial Photo of Cape Cod

16 Case studies in parallel Project Implementation Chatham, MA Major upgrade to new WPCF Phase 1 (8 Construction Contracts since 2010) Infrastructure - Original System: approx Initial Phases 1A -1C2 approx Currently in Design 800 At completion of Phase 1 (approx. 75% of community) Falmouth, MA Improvements to existing WWTF 5 Construction Contracts as part of initial implementation Little Pond Sewer Service Area - Approx Existing system served only Main Street and Woods Hole and some ancillary neighborhoods

17 Collection System Considerations Community Aesthetics Grass Pavers Native Species Minimized Structures Colored Shingles

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19 Chatham sewer construction New Suction Lift Pumping Station 2. Low pressure sewer installation 3. Public Outreach Web Page 4. Gravity sewer construction and road sign for businesses Image placeholder

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21 Falmouth sewer construction Completed sewer area 2. New submersible pump lift station 3. Public Outreach Web Page 4. Gravity sewer construction Image placeholder

22 Benefits Chatham, MA Fiscal fairness - sewering entire community Freshwater ponds and drinking water supply protection Both Falmouth, MA No fish kills/odors Expansion of homes possible TMDL Compliance Goal Improved habitat for fish and shellfish Enhanced recreation and tourism Increased property values Reduction of septic systems

23 CP1 Lessons Learned One Size Doesn t Fit All Impacts on local businesses Summer tourism (to build or not to build) Size of project Public education and outreach (neighborhood meetings) Grinder pump ownership and maintenance Nearshore water quality Sewer system connections and septic system abandonment

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