[SEMCO] Buzzards Bay Coalition's Decision Makers Workshops to provide practical solutions for towns and cities to reduce nitrogen pollution

[Alicia Pimental]

*Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Decision Makers Workshops to provide practical
solutions for towns and cities to reduce nitrogen pollution*

*Free workshops offered on March 6 in New Bedford, March 20 in East Wareham
and April 3 in Bourne*



The problems of nitrogen pollution are becoming all too familiar for
communities across Southeastern Massachusetts. Coastal waters are clogged
with algae each summer, threatening tourism, fisheries, and the quality of
life of the region’s residents. Communities are looking for practical,
cost-effective solutions as they work to meet nitrogen reduction targets.



To help local cities and towns take action to reduce nitrogen pollution,
the Buzzards Bay Coalition is hosting a free workshop on Wednesday, March 6
in New Bedford. The workshop will provide attendees with solutions to the
region’s main source of nitrogen pollution: wastewater. The workshop will
highlight innovative solutions to wastewater for homes, towns and
neighborhoods.



   - For homeowners, George Heufelder, director of the Barnstable County
   Department of Health and the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test
   Center, will discuss innovative septic system technology designed to
   minimize nitrogen flowing into groundwater and then to the Bay.



   - For municipal sewer systems, Amy Lowell, wastewater operator from the
   town of Falmouth, will outline the performance of the town’s wastewater
   plant at reducing nitrogen concentrations. The facility was upgraded in
   2005 leading to a greater than 75 percent reduction in the amount of
   nitrogen flowing into West Falmouth Harbor.



   - Finally, a third solution – neighborhood-sized treatment plants – will
   be investigated by Jeffery Osuch from the town of Fairhaven who will
   profile the wastewater treatment plant that serves the West Island
   community.



The March 6 workshop is the first of three Decision Makers Workshops the
Bay Coalition will host this spring. A workshop on Wednesday, March 20 in
East Wareham will outline solutions for reducing nitrogen from stormwater,
agriculture, and landscaping. The third workshop, on Wednesday, April 3 in
Bourne, will provide solutions for planning and funding a cost-effective
cleanup.



Decision Makers Workshops are appropriate for anybody looking for solutions
to reduce nitrogen pollution, but is particularly beneficial for town
officials and staff, as well as community members and businesses with a
concern for clean water. The March 6 workshop is approved for Training
Contact Hours for wastewater treatment plant operators and septic system
installers.



To register, contact Rob Hancock at Hancock at savebuzzardsbay.org or
508.999.6363 x222.



For more information about the Decision Makers Workshop series, visit
www.savebuzzardsbay.org/DecisionMakers.
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