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Board approves IA septic systems for affordable housing lots, requires confirmatory test pits
Summary
The Board approved IA (innovative alternative) denitrifying septic systems for three proposed projects (21 Pheasant Lane, 20 Brigantine, and an ADU at 2 Sweet Road) subject to confirmatory test pits and vendor checks; the board also discussed tight-tank seasonal approvals and deferred detailed PFAS well-policy work.
On July 20 the Board approved use of MassDEP‑listed IA nitrogen‑reducing systems for multiple applications tied to affordable housing and accessory dwelling projects, with standard conditions to meet the Board’s total‑nitrogen target and with confirmatory site testing.
Mike Bocelli of Falmouth Engineering presented three separate projects for Board consideration. For 21 Pheasant Lane (Falmouth Housing Trust), Bocelli said the lot is undeveloped and the design calls for a nitro IA followed by a soil absorption system; the Board approved IA use provided a confirmatory test pit is performed where the SAS will be installed and that sampling/observation ports meet the standard conditions for monitoring. "We would certainly be, amenable to a condition that requires us to do a confirmatory test...where the SAS is proposed once they start to clear the lot and start house construction," Bocelli said.
For 20 Brigantine Drive the Board approved IA use with the same confirmatory‑test condition and the standard 10 mg/L total nitrogen performance expectation. For 2 Sweet Road the Board approved IA treatment for an accessory dwelling unit and asked the applicant to verify vendor specifications to ensure the existing upstream tank capacity would not limit IA performance.
The board also discussed tight tanks for seasonal properties, noting that tight‑tank approvals typically require deed restrictions limiting occupancy to seasonal use (six months or less), with pumping and monitoring obligations. Bocelli and the board noted tight tanks can be cost‑effective in constrained situations but require clear deed restrictions and enforcement to remain seasonal.
Items continued: the board continued a waiver‑form discussion and deferred deeper review of PFAS irrigation‑well policy and the Joint Base Cape Cod land‑use control (LUC) document to future meetings so the Health Department can coordinate with the Air Force’s LUC point person.
Next steps: applicants to perform confirmatory test pits and provide vendor performance data; staff to incorporate standard IA conditions and return final written decisions.
