Considerations for using alternative technologies in nutrient management on Cape Cod: Beyond cost and performance
Citation:
Mulvaney, Kate K., Nathaniel H. Merrill, AND S. Atkinson. Considerations for using alternative technologies in nutrient management on Cape Cod: Beyond cost and performance. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION. American Water Resources Association, Middleburg, VA, 59(2):226-243, (2023). https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.13079
Impact/Purpose:
This study investigates the barriers and opportunities in the use of alternative technologies to mitigate the nitrogen pollution affecting Cape Cod’s estuaries. We conducted interviews with 37 environmental practitioners on Cape Cod to understand why various practices are more or less likely to be used for nitrogen reduction.
Description:
Mitigating non-point source nitrogen in coastal estuaries is economically, environmentally, logistically, and socially challenging. On Cape Cod, Massachusetts, nitrogen management includes both traditional, centralized wastewater treatment and sewering as well as a number of alternative technologies. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 participants from governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as related industries to identify the barriers and opportunities for the use of alternative technologies to mitigate nitrogen pollution. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed using content analysis and rhetorical analysis. Cost and technical capacity to reduce nitrogen were the most discussed considerations. Beyond those, there were a slew of additional considerations that also impacted whether a technology would be installed, permitted, and socially accepted. These included: maintenance and monitoring logistics, comparisons to sewering, co-benefits, risk/uncertainty, community culture, extent of public engagement, permitting/regulatory challenges, and siting considerations. The insights about these additional considerations are valuable for transferring to other coastal areas managing nutrient impairments that may have not yet factored in these considerations when making decisions about how to meet water quality goals.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Considerations for using alternative technologies in nutrient management on Cape Cod: Beyond cost and performance