Highly permeable, sandy soil conditions on Cape Cod lead to wastewater-compromised groundwater throughout the peninsula. Recent regulatory changes to Title 5 by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection this past year addresses estuary protection, but do not include our freshwater ponds. Currently, the town has about 27,000 households with approximately 3,500 connected to municipal wastewater treatment. The current three phase, 30-year wastewater collection and treatment expansion plan expects to connect an additional 12,000 households. In 2018, the cost estimate was about $1.45 billion. Costs have risen substantially since then. Due to the timing and location of the sewer plan, along with the groundwater “time to travel”, Restored it is unrealistic to expect any Cranberry Bogs significant water quality improvements in our bays for several decades. Enhanced Innovative Alternative Septic (EIA) Restored Cranberry Bogs Cost/Benefit AnalysisChallenges Cost/Benefit Analysis Challenges • Costs at 1/3 of MWT on a unit basis.• New technology.• Low cost to build and operate. • Limited scope due to limited • Potential to target “at risk” • CEC reduction? • Rapid impact given to locations. areas quickly.• Regulatory recognition.. “time-to-travel”. • New “nature-based” technology. • Potential for town-wide adoption.• Scale production and installation.• Cost per kg of Nitrogen • Need for permits, approvals, and • More balanced recharge.• Workforce training and need for removed = +/- $50. funding. • Cost per kg of Nitrogen workers (job creation). • Ancillary benefits as community • Ability to purchase bogs. removed = +/- $300.• Responsible Management Entity asset (open space, recreation, etc.). • Unit cost of $46,000 for full new (RME) need. • Cranberry bogs restored to replacement, estimated $38,000 • Lack of high-performing natural wetland habitat. for partial replacement (keep tank technology choices. and/or leach field). • O&M considerations. • Betterment opportunity to lower town- wide costs and address housing needs. BCleanWater.org Fall/Winter 2025 | Barnstable Clean Water Coalition | 9