The Town is performing a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning (CWMP)
Project for the South Coast Watersheds to Little Pond, Great Pond, Green Pond, Bournes
Pond, Eel Pond and Waquoit Bay. The Project will develop a comprehensive
strategy for wastewater treatment and recharge of the treated water for the next
20 years. This project will consider buildout for the planning area. This project
will build upon Falmouth's past wastewater planning and nutrient management efforts
to complement the work of the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) and allow efficient
implementation of wastewater and nutrient management solutions. The main focus of
the Project is to identify and prioritize sewer service areas for the South Coast
Watersheds. These watersheds comprise the project planning area and are illustrated
in a location map.
The project planning area extends into the Towns of Mashpee, Sandwich and Bourne.
It also reaches into the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). Project team
members are coordinating efforts with the other towns and the MMR.
Work by the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) has determined that nitrogen loadings
in this area (primarily from the existing septic systems) are greatly exceeding
the nitrogen limits to these coastal ponds. The MEP has identified the percentage of
existing wastewater nitrogen that needs to be removed form these watersheds to meet
the nitrogen limits. Many of the sub watersheds in the planning area will need complete
sewering to meet the 100% wastewater nitrogen removal limit.
The Needs Assessment Report was completed in October 2007. It is
the first of four phases of the CWMP Project. This information provides the framework
and background information for the next step in the analysis. It outlines Falmouth's
wastewater planning history; describes the wastewater treatment facilities and collection
system; lists institutional and wastewater challenges; and lays out the next steps.
Download a copy of the report
[pdf].
The Alternatives Screening Analysis Report was also completed in November 2007.
It identifies and evaluates centralized and decentralized treatment technologies
and solutions for the planning area. It describes these technologies and recommends
preferred options that are grouped into alternative plans for detailed evaluation.
Download a copy of the report
[pdf].
These two reports are quite lengthy and have been summarized in an Environmental
Notification Form (ENF) that was submitted to State and regional regulatory
agencies for public review on December 14, 2007. The Executive Office of Energy
and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) released the findings of the review on January
23, 2008. Download a copy
of the report [pdf].
The Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact
Report (DCWMP/DEIR) has been drafted for Town review and is available at this site. Download a copy
of the report [pdf]. The DCWMP/DEIR describes the analyses and findings of the Alternative
Wastewater Management Plan evaluations. It presents the recommended plan with estimated
costs for the 20 year planning period and for the 40-year perspective pertaining
to buildout for this Planning Area and the need to meet the nitrogen TMDLs for these
watersheds. The report is large and is divided into many small files to make it
easier to download. An Executive Summary provides a detailed (but readable) summary
of the evaluations completed, the major issues addressed, and the recommended plan.
After Town review of this document, it will be submitted to state and regional agencies
for regulatory review. The Town will continue with its ongoing public outreach and
education program.
After public review of the draft plan, the Final Comprehensive Wastewater Management
Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report (FCWMP/FEIR) will incorporate
community and regulatory review and comments and lay out the wastewater and nitrogen
management plan that will be implemented in future years.
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Restore and protect water quality and the quality of life in Falmouth
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Enhance the economic sustainability of our community |
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Preserve the beauty and value of our property for future generations |
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