To stem nitrogen pollution from septic systems and aging wastewater treatment systems throughout the Buzzards Bay watershed, local officials need new funding sources to assist the towns of the South Coast in affording much-needed wastewater infrastructure improvements. In partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, Massachusetts State Sen. Mark Montigny (2^nd Bristol and Plymouth) and State Representative Christopher Markey (9^th Bristol) have filed legislation (SD. 658 and HD. 3297) to establish a commission to study and recommend specific funding alternatives for such essential improvement projects.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition has estimated that more than $2 billion is needed to combat wastewater pollution that adversely affects the health of the Bay. The state’s current revolving loan fund does not meet the need. “Wastewater challenges continue to negatively impact the health and resiliency of Buzzards Bay, including shellfish beds, recreational activities, and nitrogen levels,” said Senator Mark Montigny, a longtime champion of protecting the Buzzards Bay watershed who led efforts alongside Representative Markey to delay costly septic mandates. “It is imperative that we explore creative solutions to ensure that hardworking taxpayers are able to afford to keep their water clean.”

Other areas facing similar wastewater financing challenges – from Cape Cod to Long Island to Chesapeake Bay – have developed their own funding streams. For example, on Cape Cod, towns came together to create the Cape Cod Water Protection Fund (CCWPF) which utilizes a 2.75% excise tax on short-term rental fees. That fund has raised more than $100 million since it was devised in 2018 and today covers 25% of eligible wastewater cleanup projects. It is just one of the many ideas that the Commission may explore as part of its work.

“This proposed commission is focused on leveraging expertise across the Commonwealth to arrive at innovative solutions for the people of the South Coast,” says Representative Markey. “In addressing the problem of nitrogen pollution in our water systems, it behooves our communities to explore a range of solutions rather than placing the burden solely on homeowners and local governments. I am proud to file this legislation, and I look forward to the solutions this commission will present in the future.”

The legislation notes that this new commission should consist of 21 members and include the chairs of the joint committee on environment and natural resources, who shall serve as co-chairs. Others recommended include: the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, the secretary of the executive office of administration and finance, the executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, the president of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the executive director of the One Southcoast Chamber, a resident of the southeastern region to be appointed by the senate president, a resident of the southeastern region to be appointed by the speaker of the house, and a person to be appointed by the select board or mayor of each of the 14 affected communities.

Funds will help towns upgrade their sewer infrastructure to connect more septic systems to sewerage, expand capacity and upgrade the level of treatment at existing wastewater treatment facilities, construct additional wastewater treatment facilities to address expanded service areas, reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges, and upgrade septic systems to nitrogen reducing systems. Further, the legislation says the commission “shall examine potential funding sources to finance wastewater infrastructure improvements and best practices for municipal financial policies and procedures.”

The recommendations shall identify fair and equitable means of financing wastewater infrastructure improvements to address wastewater pollution. The commission will also have the authority to work with outside experts to conduct necessary reviews; providing guidance on potential action plans; and providing economic analysis of financing sources. The experts shall be specialists in the fields of tax and revenue, nutrient pollution, water quality, and wastewater infrastructure.

The commission shall hold not less than two public hearings in the southeastern region to assist in the collection and evaluation of data and testimony. Experts may attend the public hearings to provide testimony and any other relevant information regarding the fulfilment of the commission’s objectives.

The commission shall prepare a written report detailing identified funding sources and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Montigny and Representative Markey for advancing this legislation to support Bay towns in dealing with the huge wastewater treatment challenge we face. I have never met anyone who doesn’t want a clean and healthy Bay. But I have met a lot of people struggling to pay their bills and town officials struggling to make town budgets balance. Fixing our region’s wastewater infrastructure is simply a funding problem, and we need new sources if we are going to succeed at restoring our region’s beaches, shellfish beds, rivers and drinking water,” says Mark Rasmussen, President of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

To read the Standard-Times‘ coverage of this issue, go here.