THIRTY YEARS, THREE (10-YEAR) PHASES
Barnstable's Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP)
What is the CWMP?
The Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) is a town-wide, state approved, science-based plan to protect Barnstable’s coastal waters, ponds and drinking water by managing nutrient pollution from wastewater. To accomplish this, the plan calls for an expansion of the Town’s wastewater infrastructure (sewers) as well as other innovative and nature-based approaches such as inlet dredging, cranberry bog conversions and use of nitrogen removing septic systems.
The 30-year plan is comprised of three 10-year phases, predominantly focused on sewer expansion. Each phase consists of multiple individual projects that will proceed through permitting. The plan is designed to reduce nutrient pollution in embayments to a level consistent with regulatory thresholds know as Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). By reducing nutrient pollution in embayments, the plan also protects water quality in ponds, and drinking water sources. In addition to meeting water quality thresholds, the plan is designed to provide the wastewater infrastructure needed to support community economic development and affordable housing needs.
Currently, the Town is operating within Phase 1 of the CWMP. Phase 1 consists of 16 individual sewer expansion projects that will result in roughly 90 miles of new sewer infrastructure. Once complete, Phase 1 will remove approximately 44% of the nitrogen impacting our waters.
Why does the Town of Barnstable have to have this plan?
The plan is a regulatory requirement to meet water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act (Act). Due to excessive nitrogen pollution many of Barnstable’s coastal embayments are considered “impaired waters” in violation of water quality standards under the Act. Regulatory thresholds for acceptable levels of nitrogen in these waters, called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), have been certified by federal and state environmental agencies. The plan provides the road map for meeting the TMDLs and restoring the health of our precious coastal waters.
Barnstable, and other towns on Cape Cod, are the designated Waste Treatment Management Agencies (WMA) responsible for planning for and implementing wastewater infrastructure and water quality improvement projects designed to meet TMDLs. This designation is codified under the Cape Cod’s Area Wide Water Quality Management Plan Update (208 Plan Update), developed pursuant to Section 208 of the Clean Water Act, which provides a framework to restore embayment water quality on Cape Cod.
How will implementation be paid for?
The estimated cost of the 30-year plan is approximately $1.4 billion, including construction, borrowing costs and inflation. The Town has already made significant progress in meeting this funding need. Through legislative action at both the state and local levels the town has created over 50% of the estimated funding sources needed for this program. For the remaining resources needed, the Town has developed an equitable and affordable financing plan to fully implement the CWMP.
The Town has created an existing dedicated revenue stream that will provide an estimated $600 million over the 30-year implementation timeline. This revenue stream consists primarily of proceeds from the hotel/motel room occupancy tax, short- term rental occupancy tax, local meals tax and a new excise tax of 2.75% that applies to all types of lodging on Cape Cod.
As new customers come on-line to the public sewer system, revenue generated from user rate revenue is estimated to contribute over $200 million to the plan.
How will the remaining funding be met?
With existing spending and revenues accounted for, the Town has proposed a two-part strategy to meet remaining funding needs:
A Sewer Assessment Ordinance adopted by Town Council created a sewer assessment that applies only to properties that will be receiving sewer service. The sewer assessment of $10,000 per sewered property at the start of the program. This amount reflects only a portion of the actual cost of sewering the property. It is also less than the potential increase in property value an owner will benefit from by being connected to sewer service. Impacted property owners have the option of paying the full amount upfront, or amortizing the assessment over 30 years, to be included on quarterly tax bills.
The remaining funding needed to fund sewer construction could come from a reduction in the annual operating budget or a debt exclusion override to authorize an increase in the property tax levy, or a combination of both. This portion of funding would apply to all property owners in Town.
Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee
The Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) has compiled a detailed list of frequently asked questions about sewering, the CWMP, and finances surrounding plan implementation. Additionally, each year during budget season, CFAC performs a detailed financial overview which results in a summary of the Town’s income, spending, and investments for the fiscal year. This robust undertaking also includes analysis of the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and allocated funding for CWMP sewer expansion and wastewater treatment facility projects.
CWMP Progress at a Glance
Explore key milestones that have shaped the development of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) and the efforts taken thus far to protect the Town’s water quality.
2015 - 2017
Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC)
During the Winter of 2015/16 the Town established the Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC), which was comprised of Town Councilors, Town Staff, citizens, and organizations including the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and UMASS Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST). Together the WRAC tackled the development of the CWMP including a pathway for the permitting and regulatory approvals needed. Ultimately, a draft plan was presented to the Barnstable Town Council in the Summer of 2017, which would progress through layers of regulatory review.
2019
CWMP Submitted for Review
In the Fall of 2019 a Final Draft of the CWMP was presented to Barnstable Town Council. With Council approval, the Final Draft CWMP was submitted to the Cape Cod Commission, DEP, and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA) to commence the regulatory review process.
December 30, 2020
Single Environmental Impact Report (SEIR)
On December 30, 2020, the Town of Barnstable was issued a Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for its Single Environmental Impact Report (Single EIR), which was determined to adequately and properly comply with MEPA and its implementing regulations.
January 8, 2021
Establishing a Special Review Procedure
On January 8, 2021, the Town of Barnstable was issued a Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for Establishing a Special Review Procedure (SRP), to guide the implementation of the Town’s CWMP. A notice of the issuance of this SRP was published in the Environmental Monitor on January 22, 2021.
April 16, 2021
Cape Cod Commission Final 208 Consistency Determination
On April 16, 2021, the Town of Barnstable recieved its 208 Plan Consistency Determination from the Cape Cod Commission.
September 2021
Barnstable Breaks Ground on Sewer Expansion
The Strawberry Hill Road Sewer Expansion Project broke ground in September 2021. Designed to sewer approximately 215 properties and remove approximately 4.6 kg/day of nitrogen from the Centerville River Watershed, this was the Town’s first major CWMP construction initiative to kick-off Phase 1 of the 30-year plan.
September 2022
Sewer Expansion within Route 28
The Town’s second sewer expansion project commenced in September 2022. Laying the foundation for westward sewer expansion, a major goal outlined for Phase 1 of the CWMP, the Route 28 East Sewer Expansion Project included the plan’s largest sewer pump station, located at the corner of Route 28 and Phinney’s Lane.
September 2023
Barnstable Applies for a Watershed Permit
Following the release of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) Watershed Permit and Title 5 Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Regulations, the Town submitted its application for a Watershed Permit covering the entire Town and its watersheds.
April 2024
Town Council Supports Next-Gen Wastewater Treatment
Barnstable Town Council approved a significant $109 Million capital appropriation for upgrades to the Barnstable Water Pollution Control Division’s treatment plant in April 2024. The proposed construction projec is anticipated to be completed in two phases — the first being a new headworks facility and nitrogen removal improvements which will consist of the installation of a four stage Bardenpho proecess and membrane bioreactors, upgrades to the effluent pumping systems, associated piping/coneyance structures and other identified facility upgrades.
May 2024
First Connection into the New Municipal Sewer System
With Barnstable’s first two sewer projects completed on time and on budget, the first residential sewer connection was welcomed into the system at the end of May 2024. Currently over 300 property owners are eligible to tie into the newly expanded municipal sewer system. To assist property owners, the Department of Public Works published its Homeowner’s Sewer Connection Guide, which is available digitally and in print at various locations across Town. Resources are also available in Portugese and Spanish.
Latest News and Insights
Press Releases & Public Notices
Public Notice: Barnstable Watershed Permit Application
On September 1, 2023, in response to the amended Title 5 Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Regulations (Title 5, 310 CMR 15.000) and new Watershed Permit Regulations (314 CMR 21.00), the Town of Barnstable submitted its application for a Watershed Permit. The...
PFAS and the Hyannis Water Supply: Challenges and Solutions
The Town of Barnstable invites interested individuals to attend an informational meeting to discuss how the Hyannis Water System is addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in its water supply. The informational session will be held:...
Sewer Construction to Begin on Shootflying Hill Road
Centerville Village Sewer Expansion Project – North Phase Sewer Construction to Begin on Shootflying Hill Road (Hyannis, MA – February 27, 2025) Starting Monday, March 3, 2025, the Town of Barnstable’s contractor, C.C. Construction, Inc., will begin sewer construction...