Approved
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Planning Committee
May 24, 2011, 2:30 pm
DPW Conference Room
Attendees: Alex Hay, Curt Felix, Ned Hitchcock, Hillary Greenberg-Lemos, Paul Gabriel,Christine Bates, Committee Secretary
Regrets: Lezli Rowell and Bob Larsen
Guests: Brian Baumgaertel, George Heufelder, and Anamarija Frankic
Alex Hay called the meeting to order at 2:34 am.
Barnstable County Dept. of Health and Environment Presentation: the functioning of the I/A systems in the ground
George Heufelder stated this presentation (do we have a link?)is a broad overview of I/A systems and clusters systems up to 10,000 gallons. There is a test center in Barnstable and each town has the ability to send their data to the test center. A data web-based system has been set up since 2002. The performance data is collected and reported back to the towns. I/A systems can downsize leach field areas.
Brian Baumgaertel presented a detailed breakdown od Wellfleet IA systems, by system type, with a total of 101 systems as of …in Town. 29 of 42 systems were showing –below 19 mg/l nitrogen or roughly a 69% removal rate(?). It was noted some of the samples would be different based on the season of the year. A detailed report was given for each unit in Wellfleet identifying the system in use. It was noted when I/A systems are approved by the State, the systems are rated for 19 mg/l target nitrogen level. When you see 19mg/l nitrogen in data, it results in removing over 50% of the nitrogen. He stated most households without treatment show 60 to 80 mg/l nitrogen at the discharge. Information is not available on how much nitrogen is going into the gray water. The
county is providing grants for clivus systems: 0% interest over a 20 year period.
Brian gave an overview called the Carmody Environmental Mgmt Services. The data collected for each town provides them the ability to make decisions regarding the actual effectiveness of systems in the field, independent of manufacturers representations. County is not making recommendations or suggestions in the interest of maintaining an honest data gathering role. The State is manually putting in the data with only one person, and doesn’t have the money to pursue a level of detail that would be useful for the Town’s and homeowners. An overview of future I/A systems was presented, which at this time, are quite expensive.
:
· Old Business
· Data input status
· Forum Meeting Update
o Invites: Presenters will be Anamarija Frankic, Andy Koch, Rick York and Boze Hancock
o Dale Donovan is making a poster. (slogan: $50 million for sewers or 50 million oysters?)
· Oyster Propagation Project Update
o A site visit was made on 05/24/11 to make ensure things are set up properly. Two UMass students will be doing data collection twice a month this summer with Anmarija Frankic, overlooking the project. Baseline information will be gathered prior to placing the cultch and a detailed scientific protocol followed to monitor progress on habitat, biodiversity and water quality improvement
Curt gave an overview of his discussions with Shellfish Constable Koch, Harbormaster Flanagan, NRAB Chair Riehl, and other people about the oyster propagation project. Koch will go before the Selectmen to request a 3 year closure of the area where the cultch will be placed. We are still waiting results with the Harbor Condo Association for consensus agreement that they are aware of periodic walking over their property.
Paul Gabriel stating the public relations piece to the public is to give examples of oyster propagation and be able to demonstrate if this is a viable alternative to sewers. Anamarija stated it has been proven in a lab that oysters improve the water quality. She stated this will be a first because this level of water quality monitoring has not been done starting from scratch in a natural setting, and with so much potential to be able to increase the population of oysters. She stated the monitoring program will help determine the effectiveness of this site.
· Logistics
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· New business
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· Harborfest Booth – Septic brochure distribution.
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· Spring and Summer meeting schedule – proposal
· Wastewater meeting: June 28, 2011
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· Meeting Minutes
Paul Gabriel will provide a “roadmap” so that the committee is aware of what stage we are at. Letters will be sent out to various agencies/businesses for “services” and equipment required. The Wellfleet Administration will be informed of pricing/bids.
Curt Felix stated there is $76,000 in a line item for the Oyster Propogation project and that only about half of that will be spent if Duck Creek/Mayo Creek is the only site. The original budget contemplated an additional site in Herring River.
Alex Hay moved to adjourn at 5:00; seconded by Ned Hitchcock; passed 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates
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