The following is the full article quoted from The Falmouth Enterprise published on Friday 7/3/26 on page 2 entitled “Ocean Outfall Report Opens For Public Review”. Bolded sections per FHMNA editor.
Falmouth residents will have an opportunity later this month to learn more about the town’s proposed ocean outfall project and comment on its environmental review after the draft report was formally submitted to the state this week.
The town submitted its Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed Ocean Outfall Project to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office on Tuesday, June 30, beginning the state review process.
A public information meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, from 6:30 to 8 PM at Falmouth High School, where town officials will present the project, explain the findings of the draft report and answer questions from residents. While the meeting is not a required part of the MEPA review process, Wastewater Superintendent Amy Lowell said it is intended to give the public an opportunity to learn about the proposal before submitting formal comments.
The draft report is available on the town’s website and printed copies will also be available at the main library and the East Falmouth Library.
The report is expected to be published in the state’s Environmental Monitor on July 8, officially opening the public comment period. Written comments may be submitted to MEPA through August 7 using the state’s online public comment portal, by email or by mail. Follow this link for more details: mass.gov/info-details/submitting-comments.
Comments should reference the Falmouth Ocean Outfall Project, EEA No. 16994 (related to EEA No. 14154).
The proposed project would replace the town’s existing groundwater discharge system with a new ocean outfall that would discharge highly treated wastewater into Nantucket Sound through a pipeline extending about 2,300 feet offshore from Kite Park in Falmouth Heights.
According to the draft report, more than two years of environmental monitoring and modeling found the project would have minimal impacts on water quality, groundwater, eelgrass habitat, fisheries and shellfish while reducing nitrogen pollution from septic systems and providing capacity for future sewer expansion. The Select Board voted to advance the report in June.
After the public comment period closes, the town will prepare a final environmental impact report for state review later this year. If the project receives regulatory approval, officials expect to seek funding for final design in 2027 and construction funding in 2028, with the system potentially becoming operational between 2031 and 2032.