Canal outfall, Otis plant tie-in considered by Bourne, Sandwich
BUZZARDS BAY — Words count when reviewing large-scale wastewater disposal concepts still developing and the always evolving sewage discharge options along both sides of the canal.
Environmental Partners, the consultant finishing work on Bourne’s comprehensive waste management plan, is “not considering” regional effluent disposal options, but it is “assessing” them in its final report.
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What choices are there?
There are two discharge possibilities. The first involves a hookup to the wastewater plant at the southern section of Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) that includes ultimate sand filtration of effluent at Sandwich Road before canal disposal.
The second involves a canal outfall of treated sewage via shipment from an upgraded Wareham wastewater treatment plant at the Agawam River to disposal at Taylors Point on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus.
There are two ideas of some standing at two different canal locations: one on the north side of the waterway, the second on the south side. Both far from state and federal regulatory review, but both part of wastewater discussions in Bourne and Sandwich.
Bourne Sewer Commissioners have long ignored Joint Base Cape Cod plant developments and they stress that an outfall at Taylors Point should remain “an option” even though Town Meeting voters have overwhelmingly rejected more canal disposal at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The academy already holds state discharge permits for its wastewater and swimming pool.
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Selectman Jared MacDonald said the north side regional disposal idea, promoted by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, is not in play now for planning purposes, but that it is an option.
Sandwich "a potential customer"
EP Senior Project Manager Helen Gordon advised the sewer board Tuesday that the US has “turned over” base plant operations to a private firm — Converge — that seeks “opportunities” for abutting towns to tap into the wastewater treatment facility.
“Sandwich is really interested in becoming a potential customer,” Gordon said. “I am aware of the fact that Sandwich has been having conversations with them.”
MacDonald was appreciative but cautious.
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“This could be an opportunity for us because we’re an abutting community at some point?” he said.
“That’s correct,” Gordon said. “This would be an option to look at.”
“Again,” MacDonald said. “That’s not on the table now. It’s a far-off possibility.”
MacDonald also stressed that Joint Base Cape Cod effluent disposal is via sand filtration beds and not direct canal discharge.
Gordon agreed.
“I know that right now Converge is doing hydraulic analyses to see if there is expansion potential for the infiltration beds,” she said.
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She said a Joint Base Cape Cod tie-in idea will be addressed in the final waste management plan.
“In terms of it’s out there; this is the status of it," Gordon said. "If there’s any information we can gleam on the cost associated with it; what it might look like.”
Sandwich officials, meanwhile, have long followed developments as the federal government, via the Massachusetts Air National Guard Wing, wrestled with efforts to get out from under base treatment plant operations and maintenance.
Sandwich Town Manager George “Bud” Dunham said Thursday the town is still “very interested” in a Joint Base Cape Cod connection.
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But officials, he said, still need “further clarification” from the state Department of Environmental Protection and state treasurer office as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “on what components of the system would be eligible for Clean Water Trust/State Revolving Fund financial benefits.
“We’ve had several meetings with the relevant state and federal groups and are still waiting for clear answers,” Dunham said. “My guess is we’ll decide to connect to JBCC even if we don’t qualify for the benefits; there are too many other reasons it makes the most sense for Sandwich.”
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bourne mulls ways to deal with sewage discharge
