Montgomery County Water Services

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Why Must Orleans Residents Change Their Wastewater Disposal Methods?

Orleans homes and businesses primarily rely on on-site wastewater disposal using Title 5 septic systems (Title 5 refers to Massachusetts state sanitary code). While few public health issues have been directly linked to individual septic systems in Orleans, these systems don't effectively remove nitrogen, causing significant water quality issues in our coastal areas.

What Is Nitrogen and Why Is It Concerning?

Nitrogen is a naturally occurring element that:

• Comprises about 80% of Earth's atmosphere (as nitrogen gas)
• Forms an essential component of commercial fertilizer (the "N" in "NPK")
• Appears in human waste as ammonia and organic nitrogen
• Exists in rainfall due to Midwest power plant emissions (nitrogen oxides are pollutants)

Coastal waters can naturally process some nitrogen. When this capacity is exceeded, harmful algal blooms develop that damage eelgrass and bottom organisms while making swimming and boating less enjoyable.

How Does Septic System Nitrogen Reach Coastal Waters?

Cape Cod's sandy soil allows nitrogen from septic systems and lawn fertilizers to leach downward into groundwater. This groundwater flows from upland areas toward the ocean, carrying nitrogen from throughout the watershed. Eventually, this groundwater emerges in coastal marshes and embayments, bringing along most accumulated nitrogen.

What Percentage of Septic Systems Need Removal?

According to Mass Estuaries Project research, septic system removal requirements vary by watershed:

• Pleasant Bay Watershed - 65%
• Nauset Watershed - 55%
• Rock Harbor Watershed - 70%
• Namskaket Watershed - none
• Little Namskaket Watershed - none
• Atlantic Ocean Watershed - none

What Happens to Nitrogen with a Public Sewer System?

A public wastewater system would include sewers that property owners must connect to when required. The system would lead to a new treatment plant that would:

• Remove significant percentages of all major wastewater contaminants
• Use specialized bacteria to convert ammonia and organic nitrogen to harmless gaseous form
• Include efficient disinfection to eliminate pathogens

The purified effluent could safely recharge groundwater or be reused for irrigation. Any residual nitrogen would be accounted for in the overall management plan, ideally discharged to watersheds with surplus capacity.

Doesn't Orleans Already Have a Treatment Plant?

No. The facility near Routes 6 & 6A treats "septage" (liquid sludge from septic tanks), not wastewater.

What About the Tri-Town Facility?

Septage will continue to be generated in Orleans and partner towns. It would either be processed at a renovated septage facility or incorporated into a new wastewater treatment plant, with co-treatment of any liquid sludges.

What Are the Best Options for Orleans' Wastewater?

The Wastewater Management Steering Committee has identified three promising plans:

1. Four decentralized facilities in major watersheds with local groundwater discharge
2. A centralized facility at the Tri-Town property with groundwater discharge there
3. A centralized facility in South Orleans with summer spray irrigation of Brewster golf courses and winter groundwater discharge

The WMSC is comparing these plans and welcomes public input.

How Will the "Best" Plan Be Determined?

Evaluation factors include:

• Cost
• Environmental impact
• Private site acquisition needs
• Regulatory acceptance
• Neighborhood impacts
• Regionalization potential
• Public acceptability

What's the Timeline for Water Quality Improvement?

The project phases include:

• Planning (2010 completion)
• Design (2010-2012)
• Construction (2012-2014)
• Operation (2014 onward)

Water quality improvements should be noticeable within a few years of system start-up.

What If We Do Nothing?

Nitrogen loads will increase and water quality will deteriorate. Coastal waters may become unsuitable for shellfishing and less desirable for recreation. Tourism will suffer and property values will decline. Additionally, state and federal regulatory enforcement could impose compliance schedules and fines.

Are Regional Solutions Cost-Effective?

Yes. For small towns like Orleans and neighbors, joint facilities can be more economical if transport distances are reasonable and suitable sites exist. The WMSC is evaluating potential expansion to handle wastewater from Eastham and Brewster.

What Are the Estimated Costs?

Preliminary estimates for the three plans:

• Plan 1 - $204 million
• Plan 2 - $145 million
• Plan 3 - $170 million

Funding approaches haven't been finalized, but will likely combine taxes and betterments. State Revolving Fund access will help reduce costs. Connected users will pay operational costs through usage fees.