The Town of Barnstable is implementing Phase 1 of a 30-year sewer expansion project designed to protect the Town’s coastal waters, freshwater ponds and public drinking water resources. Thanks to support from Barnstable’s citizens and businesses and leadership from the Town Council and state and federal officials, 2021 marked significant progress.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Fiscal Policy Adopted:
Town Council took a major step in formulating a fiscal policy to fund construction of Phase 1 sewer expansion projects by adopting the Sewer Assessment Ordinance.

Funding Secured:
The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund awarded the Town of Barnstable $3.3M to construct the Strawberry Hill Road sewer expansion project; $4.3M to construct the Route 28 East sewer expansion project; $2.1M for upgrades to the Hyannis wastewater treatment plant; and $.5M for wastewater pump station improvements.

Regulatory Milestones:
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued a Certificate of Compliance indicating that the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan complies with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. The Cape Cod Commission issued a determination that the Town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan is consistent with the Section 208 Cape Cod Area Wide Water Quality Management Plan Update.

Projects Implemented:
Construction of the first Phase 1 project, the Strawberry Hill Road Sewer Expansion Project, began in September. Upon completion, the project will serve 300 homes in the Centerville River watershed. Construction on the next Phase 1 project, the Route 28 East Sewer Expansion Project, is scheduled to start in April 2022.

Stakeholder Engagement:
Over fifty public Town Council and stakeholder meetings were held to discuss the sewer expansion plan and project designs needed to protect water resources throughout Town.