Brewster Pond Summit 2023

BREWSTER PONDS COALITION AND TOWN OF BREWSTER CO-HOST

BREWSTER POND SUMMIT 2023 

Septic Systems and Ponds in Brewster

What do we know, what is being done, what is planned

The Brewster Ponds Coalition and the Town of Brewster present Brewster Pond Summit 2023 on Friday, June 16th from 9 AM to 12 Noon at the Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street, Brewster, MA. Brewster Pond Summit 2023 will focus on the significant work being done to protect our ponds. While all impairment sources will be discussed, the focus will be on septic systems. The Summit will review what is known about pond impairment and the impact of septic systems, what needs to be learned, actions taken and in progress, and the outlook for the future. 

The Brewster Pond Summit 2023 will consist of presentations and discussions by Town officials and experts from the Cape Cod Commission, MASSTC, and the Horsley Witten Group, LLC, reviewing completed and planned research, proposed updates to Title 5 regulations, funding sources, and governance of alternative septic systems. Speakers will include:

• Brian Baumgaertel – Director, Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC)
• Susan Bridges – President, Brewster Ponds Coalition
• John Keith – Vice President, Brewster Ponds Coalition
• Peter Lombardi – Town Manager, Town of Brewster
• Chris Miller – Director of the Natural Resources Department, Town of Brewster
• Mark Nelson – Principal and Senior Hydrogeologist, Horsley Witten Group, LLC
• Erin Perry – Deputy Director, Cape Cod Commission
• Kimberley Pearson – Chairman, Brewster Natural Resources Advisory Commission and Vice Chair, Brewster Board of Health
• Griffin Ryder – Director, Department of Public Works, Town of Brewster

Refer to our website for full biographies. There will be time for your questions and additional discussion for each topic.

“It is well known that impairment to Cape Cod’s freshwater ponds and estuaries comes from septic systems, fertilizer and stormwater runoff, and that nutrient loading from septic systems accounts for 80-85% of the problem, " said Susan Bridges, Brewster Ponds Coalition President. “The BPC is pleased to be working with the Town on several research and remediation projects to help determine the best solutions for Brewster. Co-hosting the 2023 Pond Summit will give us an opportunity to provide the community with an update of where we are in this process and our planned next steps.” Projects such as cyanobacteria research and pond remediation (weed harvesting) are groundbreaking and benefit not only Brewster but all ponds on the Cape.

“Brewster has long taken a holistic approach in seeking to protect our water resources,” said Peter Lombardi, Town Manager. “As new technologies and strategies emerge to address water quality, especially in our freshwater ponds, Brewster continues to lead on these issues as evidenced by our recent work with the Brewster Ponds Coalition on our Water Resources Task Force and other regional initiatives. With the state planning on making major changes to septic and watershed regulations on Cape Cod, the need to work together has never been more critical. We look forward to sharing out the latest information with residents about our partnerships and plans for the future.” 

The Summit is an open forum. Town and area residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions; it will also be livestreamed (details to be provided on our website). Admission is free; register to attend via the link above. Many thanks to the Leighton Team, a BPC Business Partner, for sponsoring this event.

For more information about this program visit https://brewsterponds.org or the Town of Brewster website at: https://www.brewster-ma.gov.

The Brewster Ponds Coalition mission is to protect and improve the health of Brewster’s ponds through science, education and advocacy. The Brewster Ponds Coalition is a 501(C) 3 charitable nonprofit organization.