News
Cape Cod Times: State Proposes new limits on toxic PFAS chemicals
Tougher standards would apply to drinking water, contaminated site cleanups.
BOSTON — After pondering restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances for most of the year, the Baker-Polito administration on Friday filed draft regulations that would establish enforceable standards on public drinking water systems. Full Article
Stony Brook Herring Run
A minute underwater video by Gerald Beetham of adult herring in May 2019.
Wicked Local: APCC: Herring counts show mixed results
An analysis by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod of the 2019 volunteer spring herring counts show the results to be a mixed bag containing both good and bad news. They indicate that river herring populations on Cape Cod have not recovered and still need protection as well as restoration of their habitat. Full Article
My Title 5 septic system is working fine. What’s the problem?
Answer: Title 5 septic systems are designed to protect public health by removing solids and bacteria from sewage. The design does not remove nitrogen and phosphorus, which are the nutrients that are causing poor water quality in our ponds and embayments.
Solids are collected in the septic tank and the remaining liquid flows into the leaching field which soaks into the ground, ultimately reaching groundwater. This liquid contains high concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and some phosphorus, among other things put down the drain.
The nitrogen and phosphorus-rich liquid percolates down through soil to the groundwater that flows into our ponds and embayments. On Cape Cod, septic systems are the major source of excess nutrients contributing to poor water quality, followed by fertilizers and stormwater runoff.
What is your town doing about its wastewater problem? See State of the Waters Action Plan to see what needs to be done.
Cape Cod Times: Toxic algae bloom in Mashpee spreading to Santuit River
A section of the Santuit River that zigzags behind houses in a wooded area in Mashpee has turned bright green, causing an uproar among residents.
“I think at the end of the day, it’s going to take a public uprising about water quality, whether it’s Santuit (Pond)or other places as well, to create the political will necessary for towns to take the hard steps needed to solve these problems,” said Andrew Gottlieb, a Mashpee selectman who is also executive director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Full Article
Cyanobacteria Blooms in Santuit River
Santuit River, Mashpee November 20, 2019
Santuit River, Mashpee November 20, 2019
Cape Cod Times: Toxic algae bloom still present in Santuit Pond in Mashpee
A cyanobacteria bloom that has plagued Santuit Pond since early summer continues to pose a health risk to wildlife, pets and humans. Full Article
Silent Spring Institute Presents “Environmental Health and Prevention Science – A Research Update”
“A study of health effects from exposure to PFAS in drinking water in two communities in Eastern MA—Hyannis and Ayer,” Laurel Schaider, Research Scientist, Environmental Chemistry and Engineering.
“Screening chemicals for breast cancer risk: Anew tool for improving chemical safety testing and developing safer products,” Ruthann Rudel, Director of Research, Toxicology and Risk Assessment
What: Environmental Health and Prevention Science – A Research Update
Who: Silent Spring Institute
When: December 11th, 2019 12:00-1:30 PM (lunch will be served)
Where: Barnstable Town Hall, 2nd Floor Hearing Room 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA (directions)
Cost: Free
For more information, contact: Cheryl Osimo cherylosimo@comcast.net (508) 246-3047
Cyanobacteria Blooms in Santuit Pond
Isn’t this a beautiful drone shot of the fall colors looking down onto Santuit Pond in Masphee? But take a closer look! A cyanobacteria bloom clouds the water and has been making the water murky for several weeks.
While cyanobacteria are a part of a pond ecosystem, these thick blooms that can appear as pea soup, snotty scum and look like someone spilled blue-green paint on the surface of the water signify a problem. Certain cyanobacteria always indicate toxic conditions and pose health problems for wildlife, pets and people.
Avoid contact and certainly don’t let your dog swim here. If your dog does come in contact with the pond scum, wash thoroughly with clean water and call your vet immediately if your dog experiences vomiting, drooling, or other illness. Town of Mashpee has posted a cyanobacteria advisory.
We saw several blooms this past summer because warm temperatures also help stimulate growth. Daily temperatures in October were mostly all above average, so apparently we’re not out of the woods yet and it’s November!
For more information on cyanobacteria monitoring on the Cape, visit www.APCC.org/cyano.
State of the Waters: Cape Cod 2019
APCC’s executive director, Andrew Gottlieb, announces the release of the State of the Waters: Cape Cod 2019 report. Most of the Cape’s embayments and ponds have water quality problems.