MINUTES
EASTHAM BOARD OF HEALTH WORKSHOP
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014 AT 9:00AM
Present: Dr. Joanna Buffington, Dr. Martin Haspel, Dr. James Taylor, Chair, Beverly Knox, Jane Crowley, Susan Barker
Absent: Glenn Olson
I.
OPENING STATEMENTS
None
II.
NITREX TECHNOLOGY SEPTIC SYSTEMS – BRACKETT LANDING
Pio Lombardo, Lombardo Associates, Inc.
Water Quality Protection Standards:
Drinking Water 10 mg/l Nitrates
Water Quality 0.35 – 0.50 mg/l Total Nitrogen
EPA limits of wastewater:
3 mg/l Total Nitrogen
Mr. Lombardo provided information on 15 locations which included Single Family Residences, subdivisions, shopping centers and schools which indicated that the Nitrex system removes 95% of Total Nitrogen and achieves an effluent Total Nitrogen of an average of 3 mg/l. The Nitrex component is placed after the Innovative Alternative (I/A) component of the total septic system.
A discussion took place regarding Brackett Landing and the current electric cost to run the system. Mr. Lombardo noted that the SeptiTech component does use more electricity compared to other I/A components and that may be the issue.
Questions:
Q. Is the Nitrex system available on residential properties and what is the cost?
A. Yes and the estimated cost would be $15 to $20 thousand for the I/A system and to add Nitrex about $6 to $8 thousand more.
Q. Does the barrier settle over time and then need to be replenished?
A. It will settle but very slightly. If the system is under a road, settlement issues will increase.
Q. What are the operational issues or requirements to maintain the system?
A. One additional test is required yearly. The system should be replaced every 40 years. No separate or additional operational issues.
Q. What is your respective on improvements at Brackett Landing based on the 10 years it has been in place?
A. Have not seen any operational problems with the system. Brackett Landing has SeptiTech as the I/A component. Mr. Lombardo stays away from that system now based on its high energy usage. As a side note, Mr. Lombardo stated that he is disappointed that more I/A systems have not been installed across the Cape.
III.
ECO TOILETS
Win Munroe, Falmouth Demonstration Project
In this presentation, Win Munro and Earl Barnhart will be specifically discussing Composting Toilets and Urine Diverting Toilets.
ECO Toilets do not reduce Total Nitrogen as Pio Lombardo’s system does. Instead, they remove 70-88% of Total Nitrogen. Other benefits are:
Use less water and less energy
Have lower costs in capital and Operational and Maintenance Agreements
Job creation is expected to be high
Fast and easy to implement
Potential to degrade pharmaceutical residues is expected to be high as these are mostly excreted in urine
The project is starting now and they hope to have a report of the results in 2015.
Concerns raised by people that the project is faced with and that they will address during and after the project:
ECO Toilets cannot remove enough Total Nitrogen
Too Expensive (estimate cost to be $5,600 to $15,000 for 4 or 5 toilets set up to 1 system, depending on current plumbing in house)
Too new and risky
Local and State will not approve
People will not accept them
The project has identified several technical issues to date and they are being addressed now. This is as planned so that all bugs can be worked out during the project prior to full implementation.
Earl Barnhart noted that he has had a composting toilet for 12 years. He also noted that Garbage Disposals add as much Total Nitrogen to the environment as human waste.
Points and information based on the discussion:
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Per Person:
o
Waste spends 2 to 3 years working through the system
o
Once through, it results in 1 bushel of waste, (2 cubic feet)
o
No water is used
o
1 cup of wood chips should be added daily
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1 unit is suitable for a family of 4 people
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Empty waste every 1 to 2 years
o
Can give it to a licensed septic hauler or
o
Bury it 6” under ground
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Todd Palmatier, Coastal Engineering, noted that in the industry, there is interest in ECO Toilets and regulations would push that along
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In the event of a power outage, the flush system has a back up battery that uses power equivalent to a night light. The battery recharges as needed.
IV.
OTHER BUSINESS
Landfill Update
Jane Crowley provided the following updates:
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The December 2013 Quarterly Report is available on the town website and it includes data through the end of November 2013
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2 filtration systems were tested:
o
Oxidation Ozone system – this was dismissed as it did not work well
o
Carbon Filtration system – still being tested
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A public meeting is being scheduled for mid February – tentative date is Feb 11, 2014 at 5PM in the Earle Mountain Hearing Room
o
The meeting will include consultants and toxicologists
o
This is an opportunity for the citizens of Eastham to learn more about the situation
V.
ADJOURN
Dr. Martin Haspel made the motion to adjourn at 10:57AM
Beverly Knox seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIMOUSLY
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