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HomeMy Public PortalAboutComprehensive Water Planning -- 2010-03-25 MinutesDavid Young provided an overview of existing conditions in Brewster -see the handout for the specific details: 1. Meeting purpose and presentation overview 2. Goal of the IWRMP -- Important to realize that although Brewster only has 40 linear feet on Pleasant Bay -there happens to be a large area of land that contributes to the watershed - as can be seen on a Zone II Map 3. Phase 1 -This phase of the project is to define the needs. It is important to gather information from all sources. CDM welcomes input from all. 4. Future Phases -specific steps are not clear at present but typically the steps outlined in the handout are how they would proceed. 5. Concept of Water Cycle -although someone may live 3 miles away from water it does not mean that the property is not contributing to the groundwater. Water travels in different ways underground -inflow and outflow 6. Water Quality Parameters of Concerns: Bernadette provided an overview of the water concerns. There are three sources that contribute to the degradation of the water: Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Bacteria 7. Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) -monitor and evaluate environmental health of coastal embayments. They report information on water quality. 8. Sources of Nitrogen -Bernadette provided and overview of the controllable and uncontrollable sources. 9. Controllable Sources of Phosphorus and Bacteria -are listed in the handout 10.Opportunities for Public Participation -Dave shared the schedule; Mary Barry -Public Outreach -her goal is to help get the information out to the public. She wants to make sure that the public is educated and that she gathers any appropriate information. She listed the current ways they are trying to reach out to everyone. 11. Next Community Meeting -potentially the next meeting is June 3, 2010 - (to be confirmed) 12. Questions and Comments: P. Hughes opened to the public. Attendee: Question regarding Orleans: Wanted to know relative to Namskaket Marsh - Orleans pondering a sewage treatment facility on the site of the current Tri-Town plan -what is the projected impact on the Marsh and the recent erosion at the Creek? What is the impact of the egress and access concerns? RESPONSE: some of the plume is going into the Marsh but a large portion is going undetected it is unsure where it is going out -Orleans has requested additional testing in order to find out where it is going. Orleans is proposing to a change to the facility. Movement of sand does affect the flow of water we are not sure the impact at this point. 3-25-]0 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 2 of4 Paul Lucier: lives on Namskaket -reported what he knows about the new facility in Orleans - he is under the impression that they ire proposing an increase to 40 times the current flow. 1. CDM - is CDM a solution provider? 2. What types of solutions do they provide 3. Are they currently providing any solutions now? RESPONSE: CDM, Dave Young reported that each community is unique. They work to find the issues for each community and develop a specific solution for the community. They are currently working in Yarmouth where they required a septic system solution. In addition, CDM is working with Harwich but currently waiting for MEP reports. No solution has been determined at this point for Brewster or Harwich. P. Hughes pointed out that this committee is not sold on a specific solution, but is awaiting all information before considering possible solutions. Caroll Johnson -noted that there was a Map available that showed the whole Cape and the whole aquifer -this leads into NStar and the impact of the herbicides on our water. He also noted a couple of comments on Long Pond: most of Brewster is a natural vegetation - however, Harwich is a big contributor and has a major impact on the water - no fertilizer is a message that needs to get out. Sue Leven: Pointed out that anyone that wanted to get on the list should please feel free to email her or ask her any questions. This your opportunity to get involved and stay informed. She encourage anyone to get in touch with her, by phone, a-mail or mail. Attendee: concerned about the comment of an increase of 40 times the flow from Orleans and wanted to make sure the committee would address this. Potential impact on the Marsh -the MEP report has indicated that the Marsh has a large capacity to process nitrogen -and is not limiting to a specific size. The Marsh offers a potential for infiltration. Caroll Johnson: We spent $430,000 alum treatment that should last 20 years - a lot of time has passed and he is not going to be happy to have to spend another $430,000. Also he pointed out the cranberry bog that is discharging directly into Long Pond -there should be some enforcement and/or some restriction on the bogs. We need to stomp out the regulations that protect the cranberry bogs - we need to protect our water! REPSONES: Felt Caroll's points were valid -perhaps they could look at the status of Long Pond and also look into fertilizer use in general. How do we get the reports on Namskaket? RESPONSE: the best way is to go to the Orleans website or the Cape Cod Commission: look for MEP Namskaket Marsh report. Sue would try to get a link on the website. - How do you get the point out about the detergents that could reduce phosphorus -Sue pointed out that they would try to post the list of dishwasher detergents on the website. Peter Herman: It was his understanding that more nitrogen was in urine than solids -What is being done to address the liquid portion? RESPONSE: there are different levels of treatment -Title 5 septic is designed for solids discharging 35 parts - a local on-site treatment system - removes approx. '/2 - 18/pmm of the nitrogen; Complex Cluster Treatment systems (ie Orleans facility is under 10 parts nitrogen). Apackage/central system could potentially bring it 3-25-10 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 3 of4 down to 5 parts. What Orleans is proposing at the treatment facility -treat the nitrogen and bring it down to the 5 parts range. The liquid part that is discharged is highly treated. A question was raised as to why alarge-scale treatment system can't be used at the homeowner lever? RESPONSE: A large treatment facility needs a constant flow in order to work effectively. Richard White: Suggested that a copy of the detergents flyer could be included in the water bill. P. Hughes: Wanted to make sure that everyone knew that the committee is looking at all areas of water: stormwater, pond water, drinking water, and wastewater. White: Question for Mr. Lewis and the BOS -would hope that the selectmen take an aggressive part and participate jointly with Orleans on what they are doing. P. Hughes: Acknowledged that the BOS is working with the Tri-Town facility. She also noted that the Committee has had a meeting with Orleans and sent letters to neighboring towns to encourage the towns to work together. The Comprehensive Water Planning Committee holds meetings on the 2"d and 4t" Mondays of every month at 4:30 pm. Next Meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2010 with CDM. 3-25-10 www.TOWN.BREWSTER.MA.US Page 4 of4 J ann 'Sci/Administrative Clerk