wastewater

Human wastes require care in their disposal because they carry viruses, bacteria and nutrients. The bacteria contained within the waste are not suited to surviving outside the human body however the viruses and nutrients can persist for some time and travel for some distance from the source. If not carefully disposed, the wastes can contaminate drinking water and have caused serious and deadly disease outbreaks in the not too distant past in this country and continue to do so in Third World countries. Current wastewater disposal addresses the pathogens successfully. The nitrogen and phosphorus contained in the wastewater can affect drinking water quality and cause serious decline in coastal and freshwater pond habitat. Wastewater treatment: Of the nearly 15000 dwellings on the Vineyard, well over 80 percent rely on the use of on-site wastewater disposal systems. On site sewage disposal systems are used throughout Aquinnah, Chilmark, West Tisbury and Chappaquiddick and in the areas outside the downtown sections of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury.