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Westport board recommends release of five ‘layer cake’ septic pilot systems, limits post‑pilot monitoring
Summary
After reviewing pilot monitoring results showing variable nitrogen removal (roughly 30%–68% versus hopes of 80%–90%), the board voted unanimously to support homeowners’ requests to exit DEP’s pilot, imposing no extra monitoring beyond standard Title 5 requirements and requiring septic pumping every three years.
Maureen Thomas, speaking on behalf of five Westport property owners, asked the Board of Health to recommend that the Department of Environmental Protection allow the owners to exit a pilot program for layered soil treatment ("layer cake") leach fields.
Thomas summarized the pilot monitoring: systems were monitored for two years under a grant that expired in September 2023. "All of the systems in Westport were monitored for 2 years in accordance with the agreement between the coalition, the property owners, and the test center," she said, and reported observed total nitrogen removal ranged from about 30% to roughly 68%. "Originally, everyone hoped that they would remove 80 to 90% of total nitrogen," Thomas said.
Board members asked whether performance might reflect continued benefits from monitoring or pressure dosing. Members noted that typical Title 5 leaching fields remove about 25% at best, and that some pressure‑dosed conventional systems can perform better. The director summarized the DEP pilot approval language: homeowners may notify DEP and the local approving authority to stop participating after 24 months of monitoring; the board can impose conditions or accept standard O&M requirements.
After discussion, the board made and seconded a motion to endorse the homeowners’ requests to exit the pilot without additional monitoring beyond standard requirements, while requiring standard septic‑tank pumping every three years. The board voted unanimously to send a single letter covering all five addresses to DEP if DEP will accept one combined letter; otherwise property owners will seek individual letters. Maureen Thomas said the systems were "doing really well" and reported performance "around 70%" for some sites.
The board’s vote records the endorsement and instruction to provide written confirmation to DEP so property owners can follow up.
