News Release

Water Quality Improvement Project Underway at the National Seashore

Salt Pond in Eastham, Massachusetts

NPS Photo

News Release Date: November 18, 2020

Contact: Brian Carlstrom

EASTHAM, Mass— Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom announced that construction is beginning on the Salt Pond Visitor Center septic system to improve water quality in the Salt Pond watershed.

Upgrades to the septic system include an added recirculation loop, a 15,000-gallon wood chip carbon tank, and new equipment to monitor effluent and to add liquid chemical feeds for both alkalinity and carbon sources. Superintendent Brian Carlstrom stated, “These additions are innovative non-conventional modifications deemed necessary to achieve reduced effluent nutrient levels in the existing system. We are making these efforts along with the Town of Eastham in the Salt Pond watershed to enhance nitrogen removal. We are excited to get this project underway and look forward to seeing water quality improvements.”

The construction project will be breaking ground this week and extend into December. Horsley-Witten Group of Sandwich, MA developed the engineering design standards. Edward Paige Corporation of Westwood, MA is the General Contractor and Pride Environmental of East Taunton, MA is the sub-contractor.

For more information about Cape Cod National Seashore, visit www.nps.gov/caco