Alternative technologies for onsite wastewater treatment

Brooks, Joan

From the executive summary: "The park units in the North Atlantic Region have expressed concern about the degradation of the water quality due to nonpoint source input from input of nitrogen and phosphorus from onsite wastewater treatment systems within the parks and in adjacent private developments. Estuarine ecosystems at Cape Cod NS and Acadia NP are adversely affected by nitrogen loadings. At Fire Island NS, a barrier park with sandy, porous soils, and shallow water tables, more than 3,800 private residences exist with the majority being served by onsite wastewater treatment systems. In freshwater ecosystems phosphorus is the limiting nutrient of concern. A number of freshwater ponds in the parks have part of the shoreline within the park and part under private ownership. Alternative onsite wastewater treatment systems offer viable options for reducing nonpoint source pollution to adjacent aquatic ecosystems. Given the "protected quality of National Park Service fresh water aquatic and marine ecosystems the NPS should be using the most efficient onsite wastewater treatment systems available. While land under private ownership is not under the jurisdiction of the NPS, demonstration projects at park visitor centers could be used to provide public education and enhance the public perception of alternative systems. These demonstration projects could also provide valuable information to the local regulatory officials who in tum could consider enhanced regulatory control of development adjacent to park boundaries. In preparation for this report site visits were made to the Cape Cod NS and Acadia NP where brief discussions were held with park personnel about their priorities and specific local concerns. A number of existing systems were viewed during these visits. Brief information about a number of available alternative systems is included with comments concerning their relative maintenance requirements, general design, complexity of construction, and effluent quality. Costs for specific installations are included where available as examples. Costs will vary widely from one area to another and from one manufacturer to another for proprietary systems. Suggestions, including the rational used for these recommendations, are included for a few site specific installations. Suggestions are included for possible public education projects."