These new loans are available for upgrade of home septic systems around Buzzards Bay

Asad Jung, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

BUZZARDS BAY — Upgrading your home’s septic system to one that can efficiently reduce nitrogen pollution recently became more affordable.

New language in the state budget signed by Gov. Charlie Baker July 28 provides residents around Buzzards Bay with access to low-interest loans through their local boards of health to repair or upgrade their current septic systems to nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

Previously, Massachusetts residents were able to receive such loans only to upgrade failing septic systems.

More new: Phinneys Harbor anticipated to be first focus of new septic systems reviews next year

The entire Cape is vulnerable to nitrogen pollution, said Korrin Petersen, vice president of clean water advocacy for the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

New language in the state budget signed by Gov. Charlie Baker July 28 provides residents around Buzzards Bay, shown above, with access to low-interest loans through their local boards of health to repair or upgrade their current septic systems to nitrogen-reducing septic systems.
New language in the state budget signed by Gov. Charlie Baker July 28 provides residents around Buzzards Bay, shown above, with access to low-interest loans through their local boards of health to repair or upgrade their current septic systems to nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

“I hope the fact that (Massachusetts residents) now have access to low interest loans that there will be more people who will elect to voluntarily upgrade their systems,” she said.

The coalition is a nonprofit that seeks to improve the ecosystem of Buzzards Bay.

Larger scale municipal sewage treatment is the most effective way to reduce nitrogen pollution, but it's not always economically feasible to have municipal sewers everywhere. In such cases, upgrading a home septic system can be helpful, Petersen said.

Home septic systems that can treat 70-90% of nitrogen from wastewater, said Petersen.

Korrin Petersen
Korrin Petersen

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 80% of nitrogen loading on Cape Cod is from “traditional backyard septic systems.” Many of the Cape’s estuaries and embayments are suffering from nitrogen pollution, according to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod.

Excess nitrogen in bodies of water can cause algae blooms, loss of fish habitat, and eutrophication and other problems, according to the Cape Cod Commission.

More: Association to Preserve Cape Cod monitoring 150 ponds for cyanobacteria

Residents can receive the loan through their local boards of health. Interest rates vary from zero to 5% and can be paid back over the course of several years, Petersen said.

Upgrading a failed septic system to a Title 5 system can cost about $20,000, and further upgrading it to another nitrogen-reducing system could cost up to $12,000, she said.

Contact Asad Jung at ajung@capecodonline.com. follow on twitter @asadjungcct

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Buzzards Bay homeowners can upgrade septic systems with state loans