Harwich Water Department Water Quality

Understanding the Monomoy Lens

How can land use planning help?

The key mechanism for protecting Cape Cod's sensitive water resources and avoiding the possibility of contamination is proper land use planning in the recharge areas. The Cape Cod Commission, through the Regional Policy Plan, has provided a comprehensive resource based strategy to protect and manage these resources. These are summarized under the resource headings below.

Wellhead Protection Areas

Resource Areas
Each public supply well is fed by groundwater from a defined recharge area, also referred to as a Zone II, or Wellhead Protection Area. Land use within the recharge area can affect water quality.

Identified Threats

• Underground fuel storage tanks.
• Nitrogen from wastewater.
• Hazardous materials spills or improper disposal through septic systems and floor drains.
• Pesticides and fertilizers.

Land Use Controls

• Enact and enforce land use prohibitions.
• Establish nitrogen loading regulations.
• Establish program for hazardous material inspection and registration.

What Can I Do?
Know the location of the town water resource areas and what activities could contaminate them. Report illegal waste disposal. Remove underground fuel storage tanks older than 20 years. Read your drinking water consumer confidence reports.

PRIVATE WELLS

Resource Areas
Nearly 20% of households on Cape Cod depend on private wells for their drinking water. Protection of private wells is a responsibility shared bythe homeowner and bythecommunity at large.

Identified Threats

• Septic systems.
• Right of Way spraying & agriculture uses.
• Household hazardous waste disposal.
• Lawn fertilizers.
• Road salt runoff.

Land Use Controls

• Limit density of wastewater systems.
• Reduce road salt applications.
• Identify private well locations.
• Provide household hazardous waste collections.
• Provide education on septic system care and maintenance.

What Can I Do?
Test the water quality of private wells on an annual basis for nitrate, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds. Inform local boards of health of private well location. Minimize use of hazardous materials and dispose of them properly.

FRESHWATER RECHARGE AREAS

Resource Areas
Lakes and ponds on Cape Cod are directly connected to the groundwater. Seasonal fluctuations in the water table cause changes in pond levels.

Identified Threats

• Phosphorus from septic systems.
• Lawn fertilizer runoff.
• Direct discharge from storm drains.
• Bird feces.

Land Use Controls

• Cesspool upgrades.
• Storm drain controls.
• Buffers and set back restrictions.
• Conduct water quality assessments.

What Can I Do?
If you have a septic system be sure it is properly located, constructed and maintained. Join or form a lake or pond association. Maintain a buffer strip of native vegetation along shoreline. Minimize lawn fertilization. Do not feed waterfowl.

MARINE RECHARGE AREAS

Resource Areas
A marine recharge area or watershed shown by the dotted lines on the central map is that area of the lens from which groundwater flows into the coastal waters. Marine water quality is affected by nitrogen from land uses in recharge areas, or watersheds.

Identified Threats

• Nitrogen from wastewater and lawn fertilizer.
• Direct discharge from storm drains.
• Marine service facilities.
• Boat discharge.

Land Use Controls

• Upgrade to alternative denitrifying septic systems.
• Conduct water quality assessments.
• Boat pumpout facilities.
• Provide storm drain treatment and eliminate direct discharge.
• Establish wastewater management districts.

What Can I Do?
Use a holding tank for boat waste and discharge at pump-out facilities, rather than at sea. Maintain motors to prevent excessive discharge of oil and gas. Properly change and dispose of engine motor oil. Become a water quality monitor volunteer. Maintain vegetative buffers.

FUTURE SUPPLY WELLS

Resource Areas
Future drinking water must come from undeveloped land which towns set aside and protect. The total land area left for development of future supplies is rapidly diminishing. The green areas on the central map show where potential water supplies may be sited.

Identified Threats

• Underground storage tanks.
• Nutrients from wastewater.
• Hazardous materials spills or improper disposal through septic systems and floor drains.

Land Use Controls

• Zoning to restrict density.
• Hazardous materials bylaws.
• Land acquisition and protection through purchase, donation, or conservation restrictions.

What Can I Do?
Support groundwater protection legislation and education efforts at federal, state, and local levels. Encourage land acquisition or permanent protection of identified future supply sites and adjacent undeveloped land.