Environmental Group Wants You to Upgrade Your Septic System

FALMOUTH – According to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, septic systems are the biggest source of nitrogen pollution to Buzzards Bay.

To combat the harmful pollution, the organization has been working together with towns and homeowners across the region to install nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

The group is looking for Cape Codders to be part of the solution by applying to upgrade their septic system to help protect clean water in their community.

Coalition officials say that in towns across Buzzards Bay, septic systems are the largest source of nitrogen pollution to coastal waterways.

Properly functioning Title 5 septic systems cause pollution problems because they are not designed to remove nitrogen from wastewater.

Twenty homeowners around West Falmouth Harbor upgraded their septic systems as part of a demonstration project the Coalition led with the Town of Falmouth.

The 20 upgraded systems are reducing nitrogen by at least 78 percent, making a difference to help speed up the harbor’s recovery.

The Coalition is looking for 10 homeowners to be part of the project and upgrade their septic systems this fall and winter.

Homeowners who qualify will each receive a subsidy of up to $10,000 to offset the cost of the installation.

For more information, go to savebuzzardsbay.org.