EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Without Figures) rev - Town of Falmouth

option in more detail due to the high cost of the previously described treatment and
recharge/reuse scenarios and because it may provide reduced environmental impact.
An ocean outfall treatment and discharge alternative (Scenario 1D) would have the following
components:
Wastewater collection from the Planning Area to meet the nitrogen TMDL as indicated in
Figure ES-3.
Conveyance to the existing Blacksmith Shop Road WWTF or MMR and treatment to the
current standards (advanced nitrogen and solids removal) followed by filtration and
disinfection.
Potential discontinuance of the current groundwater recharge at the existing WWTF site
and conveyance of the total flow (from existing sewered area and needed sewered area in
the Planning Area) to an additional disinfection facility in Woods Hole.
Final disinfection and discharge through the outfall.
Costs for the ocean outfall discharge scenario at Woods Hole are summarized at the end of this
section.
Evaluation of the non-monetary factors indicates the following findings:
An ocean outfall would entirely remove wastewater nitrogen (and other constituents)
from the watersheds to the sensitive coastal ponds. By eliminating recharge of treated
wastewater to the watersheds, the outfall option would reduce the amount of upper
watershed sewering required to meet the TMDLs.
An outfall at this location could have an environmental benefit because it would move the
treated water (with its low nitrogen concentration of less than 3 mg/L total nitrogen)
beyond the near-shore environment into a well mixed zone. It is noted that groundwater
recharge of treated water eventually reaches the same off-shore environment; but in doing
so, it moves through the near-shore environment where it causes eutrophication in the
estuaries.
Town of Falmouth, MA ES-14
Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan and
Draft Environmental Impact Report
7104510.6