Wastewater treatment process that includes combinations of physical (AWT) and chemical operation units designed to remove nutrients, toxic substances, or other pollutants. Advanced, or tertiary, treatment processes treat effluent from secondary treatment facilities using processes such as nutrient removal (nitrification, denitrification), filtration, or carbon adsorption. Tertiary treatment plants typically achieve about 95% removal of solids and BOD in addition to removal of nutrients or other materials.

Any organisms of a group of chiefly aquatic microscopic nonvascular plants; most algae have chlorophyll as the primary pigment for carbon fixation. As primary producers, algae serve as the base of the aquatic food web, providing food for zooplankton and fish resources. An overabundance of algae in natural waters is known as eutrophication.

A condition where free oxygen is present.

Rapidly occurring growth and accumulation of algae within a body of water. It usually results from excessive nutrient loading and/or sluggish circulation regime with a long residence time. Persistent and frequent bloom can result in low oxygen conditions.

A condition where free oxygen is not present or is unavailable.

Geologic formations (rock, sand, or gravel) that are saturated and sufficiently permeable to yield significant quantities of water.

An area that receives special recognition by the state of Massachusetts because of the quality, uniqueness, and significance of the area’s natural and cultural resources. Designation creates a framework for local and regional stewardship of critical resources and ecosystems. 

For over 55 years, APCC has helped restore natural resources in every town, procured better environmental policy at the county, state and federal level, and brought in millions of dollars to improve, protect and preserve the Cape.

Learn more at apcc.org

To reduce the force, amount, or magnitude.

An independent organization with a mission “to restore and preserve clean water throughout Barnstable.”

Learn more at https://bcleanwater.org/

The regrowth of organisms on lake or sea floors.

Conservation practices to reduce non-point and point pollution from sources such as construction, agriculture, timber harvesting, marinas, and stormwater.

Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) is a wastewater treatment process that utilizes microorganisms to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater before it’s discharged. This process is crucial for preventing eutrophication in surface waters, which can lead to algal blooms and other environmental problems. An example of a BNR would be the Bardenpho process.

The amount of oxygen per unit volume of water required to bacterially or chemically oxidize (stabilize) the oxidizable matter in water. Biochemical oxygen demand measurements are usually conducted over specific time intervals (5,10,20,30 days). The term bod5 generally refers to standard 5-day bod test.

“The Board of Health seeks to preserve and maintain the Town’s public health standards and protect its environmental resources by educational means and by strict enforcement of various regulations, ordinances, State Health Codes, General Laws, in particular MGL Chapter 111, and federal law.” (Barnstable Code, §241-21)

Learn more at https://www.townofbarnstable.us/boardscommittees/BoardofHealth/default.asp

The total of new development and redevelopment that is projected to occur over a planning horizon, typically 20 years.

The Cape Cod Commission’s (CCC) mission is to protect the unique values and quality of life on Cape Cod by coordinating a balanced relationship between environmental protection and economic progress. Visit the CCC website at: www.capecodcommission.org

A subset of the Cape Cod Commission, the CCWPC “exists to offer a coordinated approach to enhance the water and wastewater management efforts of towns, the Regional Government and the broader community.”

Learn more at https://www.capecodcommission.org/our-work/cape-cod-water-protection-collaborative/

Capital improvements plans provide an overview of scheduling and funding of significant projects. These plans allow for prioritization and financial planning over multiple years.

A wastewater collection system configured to serve only selected properties in a neighborhood. Such a system allows a town to restrict sewer service to only those lots in greatest need, and/or to preserve limited capacity for wastewater treatment or disposal.

A group of green photosynthetic pigments that occur primarily in the chloroplast of plant cells. The amount of chlorophyll-a, a specific pigment, is frequently used as a measure of algal biomass in natural waters.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Its main goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. The CWA establishes water quality standards, regulates point and non-point sources of pollution, and oversees the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters. Learn more via the United States Environmental Protection Agency, here: www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act

A Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) is a long-term strategy developed by a municipality to manage wastewater, protect public health and the environment, and address water quality issues.

The Town of Barnstable’s 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. Barnstable’s CWMP will be implemented across 30-years, with sewer expansion taking place in three, separate 10-year phases. Read Barnstable’s CWMP here: townofbarnstable.us/WaterResources/CWMP/

A wastewater collection and treatment system that serves more than one property and has a wastewater flow less than 10,000 gallons per day.

A collection of all regulations issued by Massachusetts state agencies.

Learn more at https://www.mass.gov/code-of-massachusetts-regulations-cmr

A group of bacteria that normally live within the intestines of mammals, including humans. Coliform bacteria are used as an indicator of the presence of sewage in natural waters.

A combined sewer carries both wastewater and stormwater runoff. CSOs discharged to receiving water can result in contamination problems that may prevent the attainment of water quality standards.

Water used for motels, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and other commercial operations.

“The Comprehensive Financial Advisory Committee provides financial advice to the Town Council on the yearly operating budget for all Town agencies, which includes the school budget as adopted by the School Committee.” (§Barnstable Code, 241-18.B.1)

Learn more at https://www.townofbarnstable.us/boardscommittees/CFAC/default.asp

Mass amount of a substance or material in a given unit volume of solution. Usually measured in milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm).

“CLF protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. We use the law, science, and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy.”

Learn more at https://www.clf.org/

A type of wastewater treatment that mimics a natural wetland ecosystem in which water loving plants filter wastewater and debris through their roots.

The part of water withdrawn that is evaporated, transpired, or incorporated into a manufactured product, or consumed by humans or animals, or otherwise removed from the immediate waterbody environment.

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are substances detected in the environment that may cause ecological or human health impacts, but are not currently regulated. These include a wide range of chemicals and materials, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, and nanomaterials. CECs are a growing concern because they are increasingly being detected in water supplies and may not be included in routine monitoring programs.

Act of polluting or making impure; any indication of chemical, sediment, or biological impurities.

Cyanobacteria are a group of autotrophic gram-negative bacteria that can obtain biological energy via oxygenic photosynthesis. The name “cyanobacteria” refers to their bluish green color, which forms the basis of cyanobacteria’s informal common name, blue-green algae. Learn more about the Town’s Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program, here: barnstablewaterresources.com/water-quality-monitoring/

A process of transforming nitrate to nitrite to nitrogen gas, often mediated by microbial processes.

The amount of sanitary sewage, in gallons per day, for which a system must be designed in accordance with cmr 15.203. Design-flow criteria are the amounts of sanitary sewage that are assumed to be generated by a specific land use. For example, under title 5, one bedroom is assigned a design flow of 110 gallons per day.

A large project within a region that due to any number of factors may have a significant impact on health, safety, and/or welfare.

An area where groundwater discharges directly to open coastal water.

The amount of oxygen gas that is dissolved in water. It also refers to a measure of the amount of oxygen available for biochemical activity in water body, and as indicator of the quality of that water.

A special planning tool allowing a municipality to impose a moratorium on specific types of development or activities in an area to assist in the planning and adoption of special rules and regulations.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water, and land – to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.​ Visit the MassDEP website here: www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-environmental-protection

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) oversees roads, public transit, aeronautics, and transportation licensing and registration in the US state of Massachusetts. It was created on November 1, 2009, by the 186th Session of the Massachusetts General Court upon enactment of the 2009 Transportation Reform Act.

A Designated Geographic Area (DGA) refers to a specific region or location that has been formally identified or defined for a particular purpose. This could be for administrative reasons, environmental protection, or other specific uses. For example, in Massachusetts, DGAs are used in relation to Environmental Justice projects and have specific outreach and impact analysis protocols.

A DEIR, or Draft Environmental Impact Report, is a document used in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to evaluate the potential effects of a proposed project on the environment. It’s the first draft of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), providing the public and relevant agencies with information about the project’s potential impacts, ways to mitigate them, and alternative options.

An interactive system that includes the organisms of a natural community association together with their abiotic physical, chemical, and geochemical environment.

Sewage discharged into the environment, whether treated or not.

A bay or a physical conformation resembling a bay.

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is a document that analyzes and discloses the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project, identifies mitigation measures, and presents alternatives to reduce those impacts. It is required by law in many jurisdictions to ensure environmental considerations are taken into account in decision-making. The purpose of an EIR is to inform the public and decision-makers about a project’s potential effects and to guide the development of projects in a way that minimizes environmental harm.

A document (or set of documents) that detail the impact of a project on the area surrounding the project.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protects people and the environment from significant health risks, sponsors and conducts research, and develops and enforces environmental regulations. Vist the EPA website, here: www.usa.gov/agencies/environmental-protection-agency

A partially enclosed body of water where fresh and salt water meet.

A suite of changes in the condition of a water body that begins with excessive stimulation of growth of algae from nutrient inputs and leads to reduction in dissolved oxygen concentrations and sometimes to the death of organisms.

The time it takes for an entire volume of water to be ex-changed, usually expressed in days or years.

A computer system that is capable of utilizing additional data layers.

Granular activated carbon is made from raw organic materials (such as coconut shells or coal) that are high in carbon. Heat, in the absence of oxygen, is used to increase (activate) the surface area of the carbon; this is why these filters are sometimes referred to as “charcoal” filters.

GAC is commonly used in water treatment. As contaminated water flows through GAC, contaminants sorb (stick) to the GAC surface and are removed.

Water below the land surface in a saturated zone.

A Massachusetts regulation (314 cmr 5.00) that requires a permit for discharges of 10,000 gallons per day or more of pollutants to ground water.

The identification and fixing of unauthorized discharge into a stormwater drainage system.

Water from outside of a plumbing system which enters the sewer.

Water volume flow rate or mass loading of a pollutant or other constituent into a water body or wastewater treatment plant.

Any septic system or part of one that is not designed or constructed in a way consistent with a conventional title 5 system. A conventional system has a septic tank, a distribution box or dosing mechanism, a soil-absorption system, and a reserve area. Some examples of alternative systems are recirculating sand filters, aerobic treatment units, peat filters, humus/composting toilets, and intermittent sand filters. Some I/A technologies are used to reduce nitrogen in nitrogen sensitive areas.

A public water system using wells or well fields that lack Massachusetts department of environmental protection (dep)-approved zone IIs. The IWPA is a half-mile radius measured from the well or wellfield for sources with an approved pumping rate of 100,000 gallons per day or greater.

A documented partnership between multiple municipalities, typically utilized for a project that will benefit all involved municipalities.

The total amount of material (pollutants) entering the system from one or multiple sources; measured as a rate in weight (mass) per unit time.

An approach to land development (or redevelopment) that works with nature to manage stormwater as close to its source as possible. Includes principles such as preserving and recreating natural landscape features, minimizing effective imperviousness to create functional and appealing site drainage that treats stormwater as a resource rather than a waste product.

The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requires that state agencies study the environmental consequences of their actions, including permitting and financial assistance. It also requires them to take all feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate damage to the environment .

MEPA further requires that state agencies “use all practicable means and measures to minimize damage to the environment,” by studying alternatives to the proposed project, and developing enforceable mitigation commitments, which will become conditions for the project if and when they are permitted. Visit the MEPA Office, here: www.mass.gov/info-details/purpose-and-intent-of-mepa

A project of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the school for marine science and technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, that provides water quality, nutrient loading, and hydrodynamic information for 89 estuaries in southeastern Massachusetts. This information is combined in a linked watershed/ estuary model that predicts the water quality changes that result from land use management decisions.

“EEA seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s environmental resources while ensuring a clean energy future for the state’s residents. Through the stewardship of open space, protection of environmental resources, and enhancement of clean energy, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Learn more at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs

“Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 and President Nixon signed it into law on January 1, 1970. Congress enacted NEPA to establish a national policy for the environment, provide for the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and for other purposes. NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States and is often called the “Magna Carta” of Federal environmental laws. NEPA requires Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major Federal actions prior to making decisions.”

Learn more at https://ceq.doe.gov/

“General Laws are Session Laws or sections of Session Laws that are permanent in nature and of general application.”

Learn more at https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a wastewater treatment technology that combines a biological treatment process with membrane filtration. It uses microorganisms to break down organic pollutants and then filters the water through membranes to remove solids and microorganisms, resulting in high-quality treated water.

The Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) process has been developed for the combination removal of. BOD, ammonia, and nitrate/nitrite. The process employs a combination of an anoxic and aerobic zone. Nitrification (ammonia removal) occurs in the aerobic zone. The mixed liquor, high in nitrate from nitrification, is recycled to the anoxic zone (by the internal recycle) for denitrification.

A system in which stormwater is transported separately from traditional wastewater. This is typically accomplished through gutters, ditches, and culverts.

A federal permit program under the clean water act that regulates the discharge of pollutants into water bodies.

The naturally occurring retention or attenuation of nitrogen in wetlands or ponds.

A relatively new form of zoning that is a variation of a clustered subdivision, but with several enhancements. The number of allowed dwelling units is determined by a calculation that first eliminates the amount of important natural resource lands from the determination of the number of allowed units. The net acreage is then divided by the base density to determine the number of buildable units.

The nitrogen species in marine ecosystems that is most responsible for eutrophication, considered a broad indicator of contamination of ground water.

An intermediate oxidation state of nitrogen, between nitrate and ammonia.

An element abundant in the atmosphere as dinitrogen gas. When combined with oxygen to form nitrate (no3), it can cause excessive algal growth in marine waters, which can lead to eutrophication.

The input of nitrogen to estuaries and embayments from natural and human sources.

A Massachusetts regulatory designation of an area as particularly sensitive to pollution from on-site wastewater systems and therefore requiring nitrogen-loading restrictions; includes interim wellhead protection areas and zone IIs of public water supplies, areas with private wells, and nitrogen sensitive embayments or other areas that are designated as nitrogen sensitive under title 5, based on appropriate scientific evidence.

Pollution from many diffuse sources that is carried to surface waters by runoff or ground water. Non-point source pollution is typically caused by sediment, nutrients, and organic and toxic substances originating from land use activities and/or the atmosphere. Any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of a point source.

The introduction of excessive amounts of nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus, from wastewater or fertilizers, which ultimately reach ponds or estuaries.

Regulations that establish limits on the amount of flow from on-site septic systems serving new development and redevelopment or use changes.

Any substance required by plants and animals for normal growth and maintenance; for example, nitrogen and phosphorus.

A natural system or mechanical device used to collect, treat, and discharge or reclaim wastewater from an individual dwelling without the use of community-wide sewers or a centralized treatment facility. It includes a septic tank and a leach field.

The organic fraction that includes plant and animal residue at various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil organisms, and substances synthesized by the soil population. Commonly determined as the amount of organic material contained in a soil or water sample.

Organic form of nitrogen bound to organic matter.

Location point where wastewater or stormwater flows from a conduit, stream, or drainage ditch into natural waters.

A Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) designation assigned to certain water bodies based on their outstanding socio-economic, recreational, ecological, and/or aesthetic values.

Measure of the dissolved oxygen used by a system (microorganisms) and or chemical compounds in the oxidation of organic matter. See also biochemical oxygen demand.

Deficit of dissolved oxygen in a natural waters system due to oxidation of natural and anthropogenic organic matter.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals used in many consumer and industrial products since the 1940s, often for their non-stick, stain-resistant, and water-resistant properties. These chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in people, animals, and the environment over time. PFAS are found in various products like cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam, textiles, and more

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), also known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a large group of man-made chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. They are known for their persistence in the environment and have been detected in various samples, including drinking water, soil, and human blood. Research suggests potential health effects associated with PFC exposure, including reproductive issues, developmental delays, and increased risk of certain diseases.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a man-made chemical and a member of the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) family. It has been used in various products, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and protective coatings. PFOA is highly stable and persistent in the environment, and exposure to it has been linked to various health concerns.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a synthetic chemical that is part of a larger group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFOS has been used in various products like stain-resistant textiles, non-stick cookware, and firefighting foams. It’s known for its persistence in the environment and has been linked to potential health concerns.

A carbon-containing reactive substance that promotes denitrification.

A measure of acidity indicated by the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion concentration (activity) of a solution. Ph values less than 7 are acidic; values greater than 7 are basic; ph. of 7 is neutral. Ph of natural waters typically ranges from 6-8.

A nutrient essential for plant growth that can play a key role in stimulating the growth of aquatic plants in streams, rivers and lakes.

The use of plants to take up nutrients, contaminants, or other substances from soils, ground water, and surface water in order to restore ecosystem health.

As defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged.

A contaminant in a concentration or amount that adversely alters the physical, chemical, or biological properties of a natural environment. The term include pathogens, toxic metals, carcinogens, oxygen demanding substances, or other harmful substances.

A program within the Town of Barnstable’s Department of Public Works which aims to identify and resolve issues affecting freshwater bodies in the Town of Barnstable.

Water withdrawn from surface water or groundwater by public or private water suppliers for use within a community. Water is used for domestic, commercial, industrial and public water uses such as fire fighting.

The return of water to an underground aquifer by natural or artificial means.

A document (or set of documents) that provides policies and objectives for planning and guide development is specified areas, designed to protect a region’s resources.

A document (or set of documents) that addresses the management of wastewater in a particular region.

The average time required for a particle of water or a pollutant to migrate through an estuary.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses pressure to force water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane, leaving contaminants behind. This process separates water from dissolved solids, impurities, and other contaminants, resulting in higher purity water.

A wastewater treatment process that utilizes revolving discs to remove pollutants.

The measure of the salt content of water. ,measured by weight as parts per thousand (ppt). Salinity concentrations range from 0.5-1 ppt for tidal fresh waters; 20-25 ppt for estuarine waters; 30 ppt for coastal waters to 35 ppt for the open ocean.

“UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology offers world-class marine science graduate programs designed to tackle today’s most pressing oceanographic challenges.”

Learn more at https://www.umassd.edu/smast/

A measure of the light penetration into the water column. Light penetration is influenced by turbidity.

Material physically removed from any part of an on-site system, including, but not limited to, the solids, semi-solids, scum, sludge, and liquid contents of a septic tank, privy, chemical toilet, cesspool, holding tank, or other sewage waste receptacle. It does not include any material that is hazardous waste.

A buried tank designed to receive and pre-treat wastewater from individual homes or facilities by separating settleable and floatable solids from wastewater. It is one component of an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system.

The water-carried human or animal wastes from residences, buildings, industrial establishments, or other places, together with such ground water infiltration and surface water as may be present. The liquid and solid waste carried off in sewers or drains.

An artificial, usually underground, conduit for carrying off sewage or rainwater.

The removal of wastewater and refuse by means of sewers.

The properties within the area of service of a sewer system.

The Sewer Assessment Ordinance was adopted by Town Council on July 1, 2021 and establishes a Sewer Assessment to be charged to property owners who have one or more residential or commercial sewer units that are to be connected to municipal sewer service under the sewer expansion plan. The Sewer Assessment represents the allocated cost of the sewer infrastructure that will be serving an owner’s residential or commercial property – this can also be referred to as a betterment.

The Sewer Assessment is calculated as the lesser of (a) $10,000 or (b) the allocated cost of the general benefits infrastructure and special benefits infrastructure . The Sewer Assessment does not include the cost of connecting a property to the sewer service located in the street. Review the Town’s Sewer Assessment Ordinance, here: July 2021 | Town Council Approved Sewer Assessment Ordinance

A wastewater treatment system that uses soil to break down and dispose of waste.

Specific location in a waterbody chosen to collect water samples for the measurement of water quality constituents. Stations are identified by an alphanumeric code identifying the agency source responsible for the collection of the data and a unique identifier code designating the location. Station measurements can be recorded from either discrete grab samples or continuous automated data acquisition systems. Station locations are typically sampled by state, federal or local agencies at periodic intervals (e.g., weekly, monthly, annual etc.) As part of a routine water quality monitoring program to track trends. Station locations can also be sampled only for a period of time needed to collect data for an intensive survey or a special monitoring program.

A Massachusetts program that helps with the financing of water pollution abatement projects. Two types of funding are provided through this program: the clean water and drinking water state revolving fund grants.

A document (or set of documents) which details strategies to control and manage storm water runoff.

A document (or set of documents) which details practices to limit pollutants in stormwater discharges, especially from work sites.

Rainfall and snow melt from diffuse (non-point) sources such as roofs, roadways, driveways, and other impervious surfaces.

A cove within an embayment.

Water that is present above the substrate or soil surface. Usually refers to natural waterbodies such as streams, rivers, lakes and impoundments, and estuaries and coastal ocean.

The average time for water to migrate through an entire estuarine system.

The exchange of water from an estuarine system to the water body into which it empties.

A Massachusetts state regulation (310 cmr 15.00) governing the siting, construction, inspection, upgrade, and expansion of on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems and the transport and disposal of septage.

A particular group of bacteria that are used as indicators of possible sewage pollution.

TMDL stands for “Total Maximum Daily Load”. It’s a calculation used to determine the maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive while still meeting water quality standards. The Clean Water Act requires states to identify impaired water bodies and develop TMDLs to restore them.

The full amount of carbon within a sample of organic material.

The full amount of solids within a sample of water.

The portion of a receiving water’s total maximum daily load that is allocated to one of its existing or future point sources of pollution.

The wastewater from septic systems that leaches into groundwater and flows through ground water into receiving waters such as a pond or estuary.

Chemical, biological, and mechanical processes applied to an industrial or municipal discharge or to any other sources of contaminated water in order to remove, reduce, or neutralize contaminants prior to discharge to a receiving water.

A facility designed to treat wastewater.

A Watershed Management Plan is a strategy and action plan for protecting and improving water quality within a specific watershed, a geographical area where all water drains to a common point. These plans are crucial for addressing water quality issues, often across political boundaries and involving multiple communities. They integrate water resource protection and restoration with local and regional growth management.

WQA (Water Quality Association) certification is a mark of approval indicating that a water treatment product has been rigorously tested and certified to meet industry standards. It assures consumers that a product delivers on its claims and is made of safe, durable materials. The WQA also offers professional certifications for individuals in the water treatment industry.

A Watershed Management Permit is a permit required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for certain activities within the DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) drinking water supply watersheds. These permits are necessary to protect water quality and the natural resources of the watersheds.

Barnstable’s Water Resources Advisory Committee was appointed and in action from 2015 – 2017, with the purpose of assiting in the development of the community’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. The WRAC consisted of Town Councilors, citizen experts, various Town staff, and included collaboration with other organizations such as the Deparment of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, UMASS Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC).

A designated area with enhanced regulations aimed at protecting the water resources in that area.

An act passed by the Massachsuetts legislature designed to protect wetlands

https://www.mass.gov/doc/310-cmr-1000-the-wetlands-protection-act/download

An area of land that drains to a common receiving body of water.

The protective radius required around a public water supply well or wellfield.