Moving from Regional to Localized Treatment for Improved Sustainability and Resiliency

This manuscript discusses the actions taken by the Village of Buzzards Bay (a part of the Town of Bourne, Massachusetts) to actively decentralize their collection system by constructing their own localized wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). Although the Town was able to continue its partnership with a regional WWTF, local awareness of key planning issues related to climate change, resiliency, and energy efficiency, in addition to a need for wastewater capacity, become more prevalent – all against a backdrop of major water quality concerns related to nitrogen in the coastal waters of Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay. The completed project demonstrates an approach to improve resiliency, sustainability, and to support local development in an area where coastal water quality and wastewater capacity issues are major challenges. Overall, the message of this project emphasizes the need to evolve the traditional ideals of wastewater planning to include modern approaches that address the specific challenges of the area in question.