The source of everything on Cape Cod
BARNSTABLE-The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Testing Center recently announced that the tests conducted at the facility over the past three years have helped develop award-winning sensors for measuring nitrogen in innovative and alternative (I/A) septic systems emission.
Excessive nitrogen content in wastewater treated through the local septic tank system has been an ongoing problem in protecting the fragile waterways of Cape Cod.
The sensor was designed by Dr. Qingzhi Zhu from the School of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. It measures nitrogen concentration in real time and transmits the data to remote analysis to evaluate the performance of the septic tank system, eliminating the costly obstacles associated with monitoring the septic tank system.
"Such nitrogen sensors will significantly improve and simplify nitrogen monitoring in I/A systems, making them easier to use where they are most needed," said Brian Baumgaertel, MASSTC director.
"We are proud that the test center can contribute to the development of this important technology and look forward to seeing it implemented in Cape Town.
The center was established in 1999 to examine the performance of the advanced on-site septic tank system that began to spread in Massachusetts, and to allow the company to conduct research and development work on the updated system.
The work of the center has become more important in ongoing research on organic pollutants (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) and inorganic pollutants (including perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are subject to strict scrutiny by local environmental agencies).
Baumgaertel said: “A company will contact us because they are looking for a place to test their products, so we will give them a place to let them come here and put it on the ground. Once installed, we use all they want. Waste water feeds it."
"All of our wastewater comes from the Joint Base Cape Cod and County Prison. Therefore, it is very suitable for testing the wastewater of the system," he said.
Once commercial deployment is achieved, the technology will benefit wastewater operations and regulatory agencies in local and state jurisdictions, as well as Cape Town residents in areas where water quality is of concern.
Author: Matthew Tomlinson, CapeCod.com News Center
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