Wastewater Issues
Bruce Whitmore
Following up on two Town Meetings where considerable interest was expressed regarding the status of wastewater studies, the Water Resources Advisory Board/Wastewater Management Planning Committee decided to ask the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to fund at a higher level a study already in place with Stearns and Wheler. The original study was expected to incorporate Massachusetts Estuary Project (MEP) results for Nauset Marsh and Town Cove, but the reporting of the data has been slow. In fact, a later MEP study for Rock Harbor is now out for review in draft form. Both studies are noteworthy in that a joint Orleans/Eastham solution for anticipated excessive nitrogen loading will be required but focus on two specific areas. A broader study is required so that other issues such as Town water supply resources and quality can be factored in. A proposal for a town-wide survey of wastewater issues was accepted at a recent BOS meeting. An article to implement, funded at $125,000, will be on the 2008 Town Meeting agenda.
