Orleans Finance Panel Backs Water-Use Database as Basis for Sewer Nitrogen Credits

ORLEANS -- April 9, 2026, Orleans Finance Committee receives favorable water-use database analysis ahead of town meeting sewer vote. Consultant Mike Giggey presented findings from a five-year water consumption database covering 24 Pleasant Bay sub-watersheds, concluding the data are statistically consistent enough to serve as the formal basis for tracking nitrogen load growth and granting sewer credits when septic systems are eliminated, a key requirement of the Pleasant Bay watershed permit amended in February 2026. For the Meeting House Pond sub-watershed, Giggey said the five-year average nitrogen load of 1,888 kilograms per year is virtually identical to the TMDL benchmark of 1,871 kilograms, supporting a conclusion that full sewering of the watershed meets state requirements. Across all 24 sub-watersheds, average water use was 172 gallons per day per parcel, in line with a Cape-wide average of 169. The committee also discussed town meeting Articles 25 and 26 covering Phase Four wastewater construction and a contingency appropriation, with bids opening April 28 and a state revolving fund construction contract deadline of June 30, 2026; Director of Engineering Rich Philbrick confirmed any additional funding approved at the May town meeting would remain eligible for zero-percent SRF financing.