CHATHAM’S SALT WATER EMBAYMENTS AND FRESH WATER PONDS
HOW DO WE SAVE THEM?
For five years the Chatham volunteer water watchers along with Dr. Robert Duncanson, Chatham's Director of Health and Environment, have measured and documented the adverse effect of nitrogen on salt water embayments. The draft report by the State of Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP) confirms their findings.
MEP’s Brian Howes on June 19th made a presentation to town officials and the Citizens Advisory Committee charged with developing a wastewater management plan. Howes' presentation showed a need for nitrogen reduction in various watersheds running from 90% to 30%. The Oyster Pond, Oyster River, Stage Harbor, Mill Pond area is the worst and needs almost complete watershed nitrogen removal.
Howes confirmed that 80-90% of the nitrogen comes from septic tanks and that Title 5 systems do not reduce nitrogen. Moreover, community septic systems have engineering and processing problems -- including lack of steady flow, need for temperature control, aeration, regular supervision, and the need for large land area for effluent disposal. This last is a serious "not in my back yard" problem.
There is another problem associated with septic systems--- soaps and detergents go into the ground and eventually into fresh water ponds causing eutrophication.
There is a solution to all of these problems. A three stage sewer plant and a processed water distribution system would handle all Chatham’s future needs and eventually restore our embayments and fresh water ponds to pristine (pre 1950) conditions.
The people must decide what kind of environment they want to live in, considering the impact on real estate values, economy, tourism and their grandchildren. To help analyze the problem, consider the following information made available in July 2000, and add 3% escalation to cost per year.
We have 105 miles of drinking water mains covering 95% of built up areas. If the final analysis calls for 80-90% sewering, the cost of collection system could be about $50,000,000 with pipe and lift stations and controls running at $100-110 per foot. [105 miles X 85% X 5280 X $105 = $49,802,200].
Chatham’s summer population of 30,000 discharges about 100 gallons per person per day which would dictate a 3,000,000 gallon per day plant.
The cost to up-date, enlarge, or re-build the existing plant to control nitrogen and phosphors and discharge processed water for irrigation or other safe discharge would be about 6 to 8 million dollars. Total cost of approximately $57,000,000 would be expended over a 5-8 year period and spread over 7,423 properties -- 6882 residential, 323 commercial, 86 industrial and 132 mixed use.
The plant would be paid out of current real estate taxes, and the pipes and collection system would be a betterment paid over 20 years. The average cost per homeowner would be $360 plus interest per year. Hook up cost per household would average $1800.00
The plant could be underground or flush, depending on the water table. Processed water for irrigation could be piped when sewer lines are installed.
On August 1, 2003 at a meeting of the board it the Non-Voting Taxpayers Advisory Committee took the following position:
"The Non-Voting Taxpayers Advisory Committee is leaning toward a sewer solution and processed water distribution system for Chatham.
Even as alternative solutions are being evaluated, we recommend proceeding immediately with preparation of a specific plan for expanding the present sewer system. The plan should include the development of the estimated cost, time schedule, zoning change requirements, and a proposal on how costs could be recovered, including yearly assessments to home owners.”
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