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Saturday, November 28,
2020
Quick Article Index . . .
Septic regulations
draw mixed reviews
|
Septic
regulations draw mixed reviews EverythingWestport.com Saturday, November
28, 2020 Photos | EverythingWestport.com
Special to EverythingWestport.com After reviewing the findings of
the town’s new targeted water resource management plan, the Board of Health
put forward a requirement for the installation of nitrogen-reducing septic
systems for all new construction in Westport and for most upgrades. Their decision did not sit well
with some Westport residents. Click here
to review approved regulation by the Health Board. Click
here to review updated regulation based on public hearing
input. The Board of Health’s recent
virtual public hearing on new proposed septic system regulations showed
general support for municipal efforts to reduce the impact of wastewater
discharges into the environment, but also raised some concerns that the new
regulations might go a little bit too far. More than a dozen members of the
public tuned in to participate in the video conference session. Many were
past and present town officials who have been working on water resource
protection issues for years; others were sanitary engineers and septic
system installers very familiar with the details of the state Title V
sanitary codes governing the installation of such systems. The main focus of most of the
comments were the two key provisions of the proposed regulations – the
mandated replacement of older cesspools with systems meeting Title V codes
within two years of a property exchange, and the installation of innovative
denitrification septic systems for all new construction and additions of new
bedrooms to existing dwellings. Supporters generally felt that
the new regulations were long overdue to help protect drinking water
supplies and waterways; critics suggested that the innovative
denitrification systems meant to eliminate most or all of the nitrogen
discharged from septic systems were too expensive to install and maintain,
and were not needed in all parts of town.
Inset: elimi-NITE denitrification system “The nitrogen pollution problem
has been recognized for a long time,” dating back to 2002, when the Westport
Rivers were added to the federal list of “dirty waters” in Massachusetts, Ryden noted in her introductory remarks. The state
issued Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits for nitrogen in the waters in
2017, calling for a 71 percent reduction of the nitrogen load going into the
rivers, she explained. “The town has been working on
developing possible solutions to the problem since at least 2017,” issuing a
Targeted Integrated Water Management Plan in 2020 that contained a number of
recommended mitigation measures including use of denitrification systems,
especially along riverfront areas were antiquated cesspools on small lots
are common, the chair said. The proposed new regulations
would not “impact any existing Title V compliant septic systems unless you
are expanding (wastewater) flow” by adding bedroom space, she added. Repairs
to existing systems would be allowed unless the current system is just a
cesspool or holding tank. “One of the biggest concerns
about denitrification (systems) is the cost,” Ryden
said, based on public comments about the draft regulations issued in early
October. The cost of the hardware components for such systems is between
$4,700 and $9,000 depending on the technology used; additional installation
costs include excavation expenses and providing electrical lines for pumps,
she indicated. “This regulation is just the
first step, and is only part of the solution” to the nitrogen pollution
problem. But it will help increase protection of Westport’s drinking water
wells and its beautiful waterways and deserves community support.” – Board
of Health Chair Tanja Ryden Overall, installing a
nitrogen-reducing septic system “will add less than two percent to the cost
of building the average new home,” Ryden
suggested. Those numbers were challenged by one of the call-in speakers,
David Potter, who opined that the estimates were too low. Potter estimated that total
costs for a “denite” system would more likely be
around $34,000, compared to “about $18,000 for a conventional system.” A
typical repair/upgrade to a denitrification system would probably cost
around $21,000, he indicated; in either event, about $900 per year in
electricity and maintenance costs should also be considered. Main Road resident David Cole
said his recent installation of a denitrification system for a failed septic
system cost about $25,000. He believes the town should allow waivers from
the requirements for large lots, and offer financial assistance to
homeowners who can’t afford the expensive technology. Planning Board member Robert Daylor spoke in support of the proposed regulations,
saying, “We need to do something” to address nitrogen loads from septic
systems, which collectively generate seven times more pollution than road
runoff sources. New development will only add to the pollution problem
without strict controls on septic systems, he indicated. Engineer and septic system
installer Len Potter suggested the proposed regs were “too general and not site
specific, which it should be.” He supported replacement of all cesspools
around town, but felt that the expensive denitrification systems were not
needed on large lots not near any bodies of water. He agreed with Daylor’s contention that pollution from surface runoff
and road runoff are both big factors in raising nitrogen levels in
waterways, and need to be addressed as well. “Stormwater is a huge culprit”
in elevated nitrogen numbers, he believes. Planning Board Chair James Whitin also thinks the Board of Health should consider
adding waivers for large lots, zones where sewer lines may be coming, or
dense neighborhoods where cluster septic systems might be employed. He urged
a five-year time limit for the replacement of all cesspools, and town provided
financial assistance for hardship cases. Former selectman Antone Vieira Jr. also advocated a specific time limit
for replacing cesspools, especially on small lots in riverfront areas. He
also encouraged establishing zones far from waterways where the new
regulations need not apply, and increased efforts to reduce road runoff
carrying pollution into waterways.
Former Board of Health member
Bill Harkins called for a tiered approach, with regulations better suited to
location, lot size, and proximity to bodies of water. Economic development
advocate Michael Sullivan said the economic impact was considerable, and
suggested the town should provide financial incentives to encourage
businesses, farmers, and residents to improve their septic systems. The Board of Health will be
accepting written comments on the proposed regulations for some weeks, and
consider revisions based on those comments before the new rules take effect. “This regulation is just the
first step, and is only part of the solution” to the nitrogen pollution
problem, Ryden said. “But it will help increase
protection of Westport’s drinking water wells and its beautiful waterways”
and deserves community support, she added. Each call-in speaker was
strictly limited to 5 minutes, a limitation that didn’t sit well with some
speakers who felt a public meeting was for gathering input, not just
satisfying a mandated public hearing before a regulation is passed by a
simple majority of the Health Board. Click here
to review approved regulation by the Health Board. Click
here to review updated regulation based on public meeting input. The effective date of the
regulation is February 1, 2021.
Above: A
screen shot of the public hearing regarding the new septic regulations that
were approved by the Westport Board of Health. EverythingWestport.com November 15, 2020 “Westport Has Heart” Fundraiser Westport Has Heart (“Share the
Love- Give ‘em a sign”) fundraiser initiative is
being sponsored by the Westport Grange 181 to benefit the Westport Food
Pantry and to support the programs of the Grange. In September 2020, following a month of The Westport Food Pantry began
in April 2020 by the Town of Westport, under the direction and leadership of
Dana Stewart, Recreation Director. It
started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now a permanent part of
the town. They serve an average of 120 families a week and that number is
growing on a weekly basis as the financial insecurity of the pandemic deepens.
The Westport Food Pantry, which is supported by volunteers and the generous
donations of the Westport community, has now affiliated with the Friends of
the Westport Council on Aging which is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
The Westport Has Heart red heart
signs will be on sale at the Westport Grange from November 21 until December
20, as long as supplies last. There will be volunteers selling them for
curbside pickup outside the Grange, 931 Main Road, Westport Tues – Sun,
9am-12pm. Suggested minimum donation is $5
per sign. Cash or checks made out to “Westport Grange 181” are
accepted. If you have other questions
or would like to order signs for pick up, please email westportgrange181@gmail.com Social
distancing will be observed and all will be required to wear masks. We want
to make this a safe event for all involved. For more information about the
Westport Food Pantry visit westportrec.com or westport-ma.com. You can also
contact Dana Stewart at stewartd@westport-ma.com
or 774-264-5181. For more information about the
Westport Grange, including how to become a member, visit www.westportgrange181.com or email westportgrange181@gmail.com. - - - - - End - - - - - © 2020 Community Events of
Westport All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
