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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Why septic tanks have become such a big problem on Cape Cod compared to the rest of Mass.
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How’s this for weather whiplash? After record temperatures Saturday, a nor’easter is coming in hot and heavy tomorrow with what could be the city’s biggest snowfall this year.
Meteorologist Danielle Noyes is forecasting between 8 to 12 inches of snow across Massachusetts, including in Boston and the other coastal parts of the state that have mostly missed out so far this winter. The National Weather Service’s latest expected snowfall map predicts everywhere west of Boston and inside the 1-495 loop will be hardest hit. The snow won’t start until tomorrow morning, but it will make travel “very difficult.” So, plan your commute accordingly.
Now, to the news:
A super (toilet) bowl problem: Cape Cod’s water — its coastline, its freshwater ponds, its saltwater bays — is the linchpin of its tourism-centric economy, and it’s increasingly in bad shape. A recent report found 90% of Cape Cod’s coastal bays and more than a third of its ponds — used for swimming, boating and fishing — now have “unacceptable” water quality. There are solutions to this problem. But as WBUR’s Barbara Moran reports in this new two-part collaboration with Scientific American, they’re not cheap. Last year, as Barb first reported, the state issued new rules that could require Cape towns and property owners to fork up huge sums of money to upgrade their septic systems in the coming years. But why aren’t the rules needed in other parts of Massachusetts? Before we dive in deeper, here’s a look at what makes this problem unique to our favorite peninsula:
- Inside the septic tank: To understand the Cape’s problems, you need to understand the humble septic tank. About 85% of Cape Cod properties use septic tanks, rather than a connected sewer system. That means all of the houses’ wastewater (from the toilet, the sink, etc.) flows into a large underground tank. The solids (💩) sink to the bottom of the tank, while the untreated liquid — rich in algae-feeding nutrients – seeps into the ground.
- Why are septic tanks a problem? Septic tanks are fine in rural areas where houses are spread out. But that’s no longer the case for much of the Cape. The region’s population has nearly quintupled since the 1950s — from 50,000 full-time residents to 230,000 today. And that doesn’t count the millions of visitors that flock there each summer. In other words, the Cape has simply gotten too dense to absorb all that wastewater.
- There are two other environmental factors: The Cape’s sandy soil makes it extra-easy for that liquid to flow into bays and ponds. Meanwhile, climate change makes algae blooms grow faster.
- What are the solutions? Barb’s story has a closer look at how different Cape communities are approaching the issue. Generally, there are two approaches. The first is switching more populated towns onto sewer systems — a long, complicated and expensive process. The second is upgrading your septic system (less time-consuming, but individually expensive).
- There’s also a third, relatively cheaper solution — which involves a special toilet. You can read more about the promise of “pee-cycling” in the second installment of Barb’s series.
About last night: Super Bowl 58 turned out to be the seventh-longest game in NFL history, and a lot happened during it. The Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight championship, Usher put on a slightly chaotic, if well-received halftime show, the ads played it safe, Donald Trump railed at Taylor Swift and Beyonce released two new songs.
- The local angle: Dunkin’s new Super Bowl ads showcased a whole lotta Boston by featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Tom Brady (who showed he still has an impressive arm in the outtakes).
- ICYMI: In other football news, the Patriots are hiring former linebacker Dont’a Hightower to coach the position he once played.
Dog fight at the Garden: It will be Terriers versus Huskies tonight at TD Garden, as Boston University takes on Northeastern for the men’s Beanpot trophy. As WBUR’s Fausto Menard reports, bragging rights are on the line in the local hockey rivalry.
- By the numbers: While BU has more Beanpot titles than anyone (30), Northeastern has won four of the last five trophies. The Huskies also beat the Terriers in their last game two weeks ago.
- The puck drops tonight at 7:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $103.
P.S.— Today is the last day to send Winston flowers and support WBUR. We need your order by 8 p.m. tonight to get your roses delivered on Valentine’s Day and support independent journalism.
