Harwich Water Department Water Quality

Monomoy Lens - Focus on: Harwich Groundwater Protection

Harwich Land Use Percentages

How can land use impact water supplies?
The chart above shows the distribution of land use in the town. Open space, which comprises 17 percent of the total land area in harwich, is beneficial to protect public water supplies from potential contamination sources. The town is currently 37 percent residential and 9 percent commercially developed. One of the greatest threats to water supplies is non-point source pollution from septic systems. Zoning bylaws protect these supplies by setting appropriate setbacks from supply wells and limiting septic system density in areas contributing to water supplies. Water supplies may also be threatened from improper use and disposal of chemical products used in homes or businesses. Steps to educate residents and businesses on proper disposal of these materials is the best defense from pollution. Each year, the third Saturday in June, the town holds a household hazardous waste collection to help minimize improper disposal of these materials. Recycling facilities are available at the landfill for batteries, motor oil and filters, antifreeze, and paint.

Groundwater Protection Regulations

What actions have been taken to protect water supplies?
The table show above lists the water resource protection controls relating to wastewater and hazardous materials that are enforced at the local, county and state levels. Harwich has many good regulations in place and is in full compliance with state drinking water requirements. Wellhead protection is extended to the surrounding towns of Dennis, Brewster, and Chatham where Zone II's cross into Harwich.

Additionally, groundwater is protected by a variety of Board of Health regulations relating to private wells, commercial floor drains, underground storage tanks, herbicides/pesticides, and on-site septic systems.