Reducing wastewater nitrogen loading by >90% with carbon-amended septic systems: A field demonstration in Barnstable (Cape Cod), Massachusetts.

ABSTRACT: Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are a major source of excess nutrients and co-pollutants in watersheds across the United States. In Barnstable County (Cape Cod), Massachusetts, effluent from septic systems and cesspools contributes approximately 80% of the controllable reactive nitrogen (N) load to numerous impaired estuaries and degrades water quality in the region's sole source aquifer, streams and ponds. In unsewered areas, wastewater N loads could be reduced substantially by Innovative/Alternative (I/A) septic systems designed for enhanced removal. Use, however, has been partly limited by the availability of high performing, cost effective options, while conventional septic systems continue to be installed in watersheds with well documented N impairments. This paper describe

SUBMITTER: Erban LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11568896 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature