Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Achieving Higher Density Development In Areas Without Sewer/Water Service

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities The Problem Many smart growth techniques rely upon higher- density, clustered development. Challenges to achieving this type of development pattern in rural areas often include wastewater treatment and disposal constraints, especially for on- site systems. See MassDEP’s website:

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Statutes, Regulations & Policies Governing Wastewater Regulations 310 CMR , Title CMR 5.00, Groundwater Discharge Permits Policies Wastewater Reuse Policy Nutrient Loading Approach Private Sewage Treatment Plant Policy TMDLs Local Health Regulations See MassDEP’s website:

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Disposal Title 5 < 10,000 gallons per day (gpd) Less than 90 bedrooms Groundwater Discharge Permit > 10,000 gpd Approximately 90 bedrooms

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Design Flow (Title 5) Residential: 110 gpd per bedroom 4-bedroom house: 440 gpd thirty 3-bedroom homes: 9900 gpd Office building: 75 gpd per 1,000 sf Restaurants: 35 gpd per seat

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Title 5 Requirements Permeable Soils: percolation rate of no more than 60 minutes/inch Separation to groundwater: soils with percolation > 2 mins/inch = 4 feet soils with percolation < 2 mins/inch = 5 feet Setbacks to private wells: 100 feet Setback to wetlands/watercourses: 50 feet

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Title 5: Resource Area Considerations Public Supply Well Zone 1 (400 foot radius): no wastewater discharges Nitrogen sensitive areas (Zone 2 Areas & Private Well Areas): maximum of 440 gpd/acre (or 660 gpd/acre for I&A systems). Nitrogen sensitive areas (Estuaries): limit nitrogen loading in accordance with TMDL

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Groundwater Discharge Permit Program > 10,000 gpd Allows greater density in nitrogen sensitive areas Advanced Treatment Requirements (sewage treatment plant) Requires water quality monitoring of effluent and wells Operation & Maintenance requirements Staffing by certified operators Ownership responsibilities Financial considerations

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Other Wastewater Policies Wastewater Reuse Policy Nutrient Loading Approach Private Sewage Treatment Plant Policy TMDLs Local Health Regulations

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Reuse Policy DEP has developed interim guidance Allowable uses: Golf course irrigation Landscape irrigation Toilet flushing Aquifer recharge Treated to a high quality to meet reuse standards

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Reclaimed water hydrant (purple pipes)

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Reuse Policy (continued) Standards for reuse water infrastructure and public notification requirements Must provide a full sized back-up disposal facility This has limited the use of reclaimed water Being investigated by DEP as part of ongoing development of new reuse standards by DEP

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Nutrient Loading Approach Established by DEP in 1999 Allows for property owners to utilize on-site septic systems in lieu of a wastewater treatment facility if certain water quality standards are met Designated nutrient sensitive areas included in the Policy Zone IIs Coastal Watersheds Watersheds to freshwater ponds

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Nutrient Loading Approach (cont.) Performance standards Example: site-wide nitrogen loading requirement to meet an average concentration of 5 mg/l in groundwater underneath the site Provides flexibility in using on-site systems versus a centralized facility to meet water quality standards

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Private Sewage Treatment Plants In 1999, DEP allowed use of wastewater treatment facilities shared by residential properties on fee simple lots Specifies legal, institutional, and financial requirements for individual homeowners to share a common wastewater facility Requires that the water quality standards of the Nitrogen Loading Policy be met

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Coastal estuaries, streams and lakes are very sensitive to nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) additions from sewage-derived sources. Algae blooms can be triggered by nitrogen concentrations well below the national and state drinking water standard of 10 mg/l. Example: Eutrophication has been observed at nitrogen concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/l

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities TMDLs (continued) Scientific studies determine TMDLs of each system TMDLs used to develop standards for wastewater discharge volumes within the coastal and freshwater watersheds Will likely require connections to centralized facilities

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Local Health Regulations M.G.L. Chapter 111: Local Boards of Health may develop additional regulations to govern wastewater disposal. These cannot be less restrictive than Title 5 Be careful to avoid unnecessarily restricting alternative wastewater facilities in rural areas that might preclude smart growth opportunities.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Options Title 5 Conventional Septic System Innovative & Alternative (I&A) Systems Shared Systems Sewage Treatment Plants

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Conventional Title 5 System

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Site Plan (showing Title 5 Setbacks)

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities I/A Title 5 System Nitrogen Removal Component

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Shared System - New Construction Supports cluster development Maintain 50% open space (or what your bylaw/ordinance requires) System requires inspection every three years Could allow a denser development Users responsible for operation & maintenance construction

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Leaching fields for individual Title 5 Septic Systems

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Open Space Residential Design Subdivision Leaching field for shared septic system serving multiple homes

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Leaching field for private sewage treatment plant

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Treatment Plant The Pinehills Plymouth, MA The Pinehills Wastewater Treatment Plant Zone II Eel River Watershed

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Treatment & Smart Growth 1.Develop a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan 2.Identify Larger Projects as Anchor Opportunities 3.Identify and Procure Sources of Public Funding 4.Use Innovative Financing Mechanisms 5.Provide Density Incentives Where Appropriate 6.Be Aware of TMDL Programs and Nitrogen Sensitive Areas in Your Community

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Management Costs Construction CostsOperation & Maintenance Costs Standard Title V Systems $ $10,000 per dwelling unit $100 - $200 per year Innovative and Alternative Systems $13,000 - $18,000$500 - $1000 for an individual home $150 -$200 per home for a shared system Private Sewage Treatment Plants $30,000 - $60,000 per dwelling unit $700 - $1,000 per year, per unit

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Wastewater Management Costs Comparison Wastewater Infrastructure Costs Comparison Title 5 I&ASTP Sewage Cost/Unit ($)7,50015,50045,000 Density (units/acre; based upon Nitrogen Loading equivalents)11.58 Land & Sewage Cost/Unit ($/acre) 50,00057,50043,66711, ,000107,50082,16757, ,000207,500148,83370, ,000307,500215,50082,500

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Case Studies Carmody™ I/A Tracking System, Barnstable County Partridgeberry Place, Ipswich The Pinehills, Plymouth

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Carmody™ I/A Tracking System, Barnstable County Developed by the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment (BCDHE) Innovative / Alternative (I/A) systems are particularly important on Cape Cod, where many embayments are already nutrient-sensitive.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Carmody™ I/A Tracking System, Barnstable County (continued) Increased Development Increase in Septic Systems Increase in wastewater discharge and associated nutrients Nutrient loading to groundwater, coastal estuaries, embayments, freshwater ponds, and streams Poor water quality, changes and deterioration of wildlife habitat, threat to certain species.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Carmody™ I/A Tracking System, Barnstable County (continued) Tracks construction, maintenance, and monitoring results of I/A systems within 14 of the 15 Towns Automatic tracking and compliance notification once system is manually entered into database. Also being used to evaluate functionality of different I/A systems.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Partridgeberry Place, Ipswich Developed by Martins Companies Small-scale OSRD / LID development DCR Demonstration Grant – model development 20 residential units on 38 ac 74% (28 acres) preserved as contiguous open space Utilized shared septic system

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Partridgeberry Place, Ipswich (continued)

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities SEPTIC TANK PUMP CHAMBER LEACHING AREA RESERVE AREA RESERVE AREA *Image not drawn to scale Shared Septic System Contiguous Open Space

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Partridgeberry Place, Ipswich (continued) Shared Septic System Design flow: 8,800 gpd 27,000 gallon septic tank 13,000 gallon pump chamber Two standard Title 5 leaching fields Homeowners Association responsible for maintaining. Monitored and checked quarterly by Clearwater Industries of Ipswich

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities The Pinehills, Plymouth Open-space mixed-use development (OSMUD) No pre-existing public wastewater services. Private sewage treatment plant enabled densities of up to eight residential units per acre in clusters surrounded by open space.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities The Pinehills, Plymouth (cont.) State-of-the-art treatment facility carefully sited hydrologically downgradient of the drinking water supply site. Water re-use for golf course irrigation. Reduces the demand on the drinking water supply as well as required fertilizer applications.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities The Pinehills, Plymouth (cont.) WWTP Wellhead Protection Area Interceptor/Irrigation Wells Wastewater treatment facility Max. daily flow: 215,800 gpd Average flow: 140,000 gpd Annual nitrogen load: 4,260 lbs Five disposal beds Golf course irrigated from well downgradient from disposal beds Influent monitored monthly Groundwater monitoring wells tested for potential contaminants with varying frequencies.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Conclusions In areas without existing public sewer service, there are options to achieve higher density development. The options include shared septic systems, innovative & alternative systems, and small sewage treatment plants. Shared systems allow for clustering of development with one common septic disposal field. Innovative & alternative systems and small sewage treatment plants allow for increased densities and reduced pollutant (nutrient) loads. As densities increase, these options become more cost effective.

Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Wastewater and Higher Densities Additional Information and Links Massachusetts Title V regulations: Massachusetts Groundwater Discharge Permit regulation: Wastewater reuse policy: National Small Flows Clearing House: Block Island, RI: A Sample Wastewater Management Program Orange County, NC: Sample Wastewater Management Program Innovative Alternative technologies approved in Massachusetts: