The Barnstable Patriot
August 3, 2017
Barnstable Clean Water Coalition: Cape’s nitrogen crisis is treatable
Barnstable gets its drinking water from the same source that its septic systems are leaching into, and the nitrogen crisis facing Cape Cod is not sustainable.
That’s what Michael Egan, president of the board of the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (formerly Three Bays Preservation), told the audience during his lecture at Osterville Village Library Tuesday. Following the talk, attendees burst forth with questions about reversing a creeping tide of water pollution.
“This water quality problem affects the entire economics of the Cape,” Egan said. “You’re here for the quality of life that has at its heart the water. People think [nitrogen pollution] is all up in Prince Cove…but it’s creeping down to North Bay. People haven’t figured it out yet.”
The good news is that Barnstable has seven distinct watersheds, Egan said.