Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Quality topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lagoon Pond Association proposes urine‑diversion pilot to reduce nitrogen loading
Summary
Sherry Countryman of the Lagoon Pond Association proposed a pilot to separate urine at source from 25–50 households, collect and treat material for controlled non‑food agricultural reuse, and seek permitting support from the Martha's Vineyard Commission; Board supported further development and possible future letters of support.
Sherry Countryman, president of the Lagoon Pond Association, presented a urine‑diversion pilot program to the Tisbury Board of Health on April 30 aimed at reducing nitrogen inputs to the Lagoon Pond watershed.
Countryman described a pilot involving roughly 25 to 50 participating households that would separate urine at the source before wastewater reaches septic systems. Collected urine would be transported and treated under controlled conditions and then repurposed for non‑food agricultural use, according to the presentation. Countryman said the Martha's Vineyard Commission has expressed willingness to serve as permitting authority for the pilot and that state environmental and agricultural agencies had been engaged in preliminary discussions.
Board members and staff discussed projected nitrogen‑reduction benefits, site selection, operational logistics, participant responsibilities, pump‑out procedures, chain‑of‑custody controls, potential odor and storage issues, concerns about pharmaceuticals, and whether the pilot should complement rather than replace other nutrient‑management strategies. Members expressed support for continuing to develop the concept and indicated they could convey that support to the Select Board; staff noted formal written approvals or letters of support may be requested later to support permits or grant applications.
The Board did not take a formal vote; staff will continue to coordinate on pilot design and potential permitting steps.
