Informational Meeting on Falmouth's Eco-Toilet Incentive Program

The Town of Falmouth is launching an incentive program to encourage participation in its Eco-Toilet Demonstration Program.  The Demonstration Program needs 62 participants to replace all traditional toilets with Eco-Toilets.  Any Falmouth resident, business or other organization with a septic system or grandfathered cesspool may participate if they agree to replace all of their existing flush toilets with Eco-Toilets (or remove them) and abide by other conditions for participation.

There are several financial incentives potentially available to participants:

• Up to a $5,000 direct grant, plus a free septic pump-out. 
• A zero percent loan program for replacing a failed septic system  offered through Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment (http://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org)
• Massachusetts tax credits for Innovative/Alternative technologies (I/A)  See Mass Department of
       Environmental Protection website at :
       http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/septicsy.htm#ia

The Eco-Toilet Demonstration Project is a collaborative
effort to assess the usefulness of Eco-Toilets in removing nitrogen from Falmouth’s estuaries.   April 2011 Town Meeting and citizens authorized funding for the program, the Falmouth Water Quality Management Committee and
concerned citizens developed the proposed plan, and the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will provide technical management.  The Town of
Falmouth will provide up to $5,000 in a direct grant to each participant.  Staffing is being provided by the Town of
Falmouth and the Cape Cod Commission. 

The goal of the project is to determine the role of Eco-Toilets in Falmouth’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, which involves:

• Certification of Eco-Toilets’ nitrogen removal rates by Massachusetts  Department of Environmental Protection
• Public acceptance of Eco-Toilets
• Documentation of costs of Eco-Toilets installations, retrofits and      maintenance
• Assessment of legal and regulatory barriers to the program