Join A Urine Diversion Study + Brewster Conservation Day Saturday!

The Alternative

Creating Space for Technologists to Tackle Wastewater Challenges on Cape Cod

July 11, 2024

The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) is a Program of the

Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment

Concerned about water quality problems on Cape Cod? Want to do something about it?

Sign up to participate in a cutting-edge study to test a possible solution!

Lakes, ponds, bays and estuaries across Cape Cod are becoming ever more polluted by harmful nutrients from wastewater. Usage of conventional toilets and septic systems effectively contaminates clean water and transfers it into the environment. Once in the environment these nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) cause overgrowth of algae and harmful cyanobacteria blooms and destroy our beloved water bodies.

A pollution prevention strategy called urine diversion, or UD, offers a possible solution. Around 80% of the harmful nutrients entering wastewater come from human urine so by keeping it separate from water we can prevent most of the water pollution we are currently releasing into the environment.

To test this strategy we are looking for Cape Codders who are willing to install UD toilet systems in their homes and to allow sampling of those systems for a period of three years. Data collected from participating households will be used to advance necessary regulatory

approvals.

If you are interested in learning more please email: bryan.horsley@capecod.gov

Brewster Conservation Day is Saturday!

If you've ever taken trees for granted, you won't do so after attending the 2024 Brewster Conservation Day! The theme this year is all about our favorite lungs of the earth, TREES!

Discover trees' mystery, majesty, and power and learn from expert speakers how trees clean our air, filter our water, replenish our soil, and provide food and habitat for wildlife.

We'll be tabling there so come armed with questions! Also, come get your picture at the debut of the Cape’s largest poop emoji! (Now that's something to set your calendar for.)

There will also be lots of other exhibits, crafts, activities and the opportunity to cool off with Wet Fest brought to you by AmeriCorps Cape Cod.

Our Next Stop On The Waste No Water Library Tour is...

The Brewster Ladies Library! Brewster twice in one month!

The Waste No Water Library Tour is a library series to engage the public in over 10 Cape towns, focusing on the wastewater successes and challenges each town faces.

We’ll kick off the conversation with a showing of the recent Scientific American documentary that featured MASSTC and other's efforts.

We’ll invite local boards of health, pond groups, homeowners, water advocates and anyone interested in the topic of wastewater to gather and better understand how innovative/alternative systems, including urine diversion, are just one important piece of the ongoing wastewater puzzle.

Congratulations Sara!

Congratulations to Dr. Sara Wigginton, MASSTC's new Program Manager + Wastewater Division Deputy Director!

Sara joined MASSTC in 2021 as an Environmental Project Assistant and we're so excited for her to take on more responsibilities as we continue to grow.

Sara says "I am very excited to be stepping into this new role and hope that I can support Wastewater Division staff as we meet expanding wastewater management needs for Barnstable County communities. I am most looking forward to be the MASSTC Program Manager at a time when clean water technology innovation is a must and I am enthusiastic about any role we can play in increasing clean water resources."

Learn More About Our Team

MASSTC

Phone: (774)-330-3019

Keep in Touch!

Did you get this newsletter from a friend? Subscribe here to get your own updates!