We need to come together as a Town to address our water quality issues

Mashpee has beautiful natural resources. One of the most important resources is its waters— Its ponds, rivers, and estuaries. Unfortunately these are becoming increasingly polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus. Title V septic systems leach both nitrogen and phosphorus into our waters. In fact, approximately 85% of the nitrogen in our waters is caused by our Title V systems.

Last month the Town broke ground on a waste water treatment plant. This is an important first step.

While we move forward with the long-range plan to sewer the Town, we can take other no-cost action steps. Two immediate actions: 1) increase buffer zones between new building and bodies of water and 2) stop the use of residential lawn fertilizer, which contributes to pollution.

Two steps— no cost, just political will.