There are many unanswered questions and we will do our best to provide answers as they become available. At the moment, we know the following:
The new DEP Rules will establish NSAs - Nitrogen Sensitive Areas that are the areas that contribute to estuaries negatively impacted by nitrogen.
The initial plan is to mandate that every property owner within a NSA augment their septic system with Innovative / Alternative denitrifying technology within 5 years.
Municipalities can apply to have some or all of a Town offset this deadline.
The areas in color on the map will automatically be NSAs.
In November of 2022 MassDEP started the public process for the proposed changes to Title 5, 310 CMR 15, The Septic Code. Click here for the MassDEP website. The purpose of this webpage is to help add more information for everyone to learn more, track the changes and get through this burdensome change.
DEP Extension for the implementation of BANRT for new construction. Nov 30, 2023
DEP NSA MAP
Background Document
Natural Resource Area NSA Map - November 2022
Commonly Asked Questions (DEP FAQ)
Proposed Revisions to 310 CMR 15 - Proposed Revisions to 310 CMR 15 Clean
Information on Funding Sources
Boston News Article
CC Times article by CLF
Cape Cod Chronicle Harwich 12-22-2022
NYTimes Article
MassLive Article
Cape Cod Chronicle 01-04-2023
The Enterprise Falmouth article 01-06-2023
Barnstable Confident CapeCod.com 02-13-2023
YOWA Letter of Support
Innovative / Alternative Technologies
Provisional Use - Best Available Technology:
These systems are more expensive and they will remove more nitrogen from sewage. General Use Approval is being fast-tracked and we can expect these to be the main systems to be required.
Nitrex Approval Lombardo Website
Nitroe Approval KleanTu Website
General Use Systems:
Please speak with an engineer, sanitarian, designer, health agent or product representative regarding the right system for your property.
Advantex AX20, AX100, and AX-RT Treatment System by Orenco Systems, Inc.
Amphidrome Treatment System by F.R. Mahony & Associates, Inc.
Bioclere Units by Aquapoint.3 LLC
Biofilter by Waterloo Biofilter System, Inc.
Busse-MF by Busse Green Technologies, Inc.
FAST Systems by Bio-Microbics, Inc.
Hoot Aerobic System H (A)-Series, Inc. by Hoot Systems, LLC
Modular FAST System by Smith and Loveless, Inc.
SeptiTech Treatment Systems by Bio-Microbics of Maine, Inc.
Norweco Singulair Bio-Kinetic Wastewater Treatment System General Use Approval
It is important to note that there are two systems whose manufacturers purport more advanced treatment. These are currently permitted under the provisional status.