Monster 40B: Serious disease risk to kids at YMCA Camp Chickami

Steven Zieff is trying to pack 60 apartment units onto the small lot at the former site of Mahoney's Garden Center on Route 20 in Wayland -- using 40B, of course. One of major risks are the large septic leach fields at the back, next to Pine Brook. Over 3.5 million gallons of contaminated effluent would flow into Pine Brook every year. YMCA Camp Chickami is a short distance downstream, where 1,000 kids play in and around the brook every summer.

ProtectWayland's Title 5 and water quality expert, Scott Horsley, testified about this risk at the 40B hearing on Wednesday, 27 February, Here is a copy of part of his letter to the Wayland ZBA:

"Pathogens:

The proposed wastewater discharge will include significant loads of pathogens including bacteria and viruses. While some bacteria are likely to be attenuated within short distances of a septic system, viruses have been shown to travel in groundwater for significant distances of 200 feet or more. An EPA report provides guidance on virus transport in groundwater (AzadpourKeeley et al., 2003) and suggests that local hydrogeologic factors including short setbacks, travel times, and permeable geologic materials all contribute to vulnerability for virus transport.

Enteric viruses are considerably smaller than bacteria and therefore are transported more readily from septic sources through porous media such as the soils reported on this project site. They survive for longer periods of time in colder groundwater temperatures such as those in Massachusetts. A widely referenced study demonstrated that viruses can travel distances greater than 200 feet in groundwater (Vaughn, et al. 1983).

Microbial contamination is important because, unlike most chemical contaminants, human infection and disease results from ingestion of low quantities of microbial pathogens, particularly enteric viruses (e.g., Adenoviruses, Rotaviruses, Noroviruses, Hepatitis A and E). Enteric virus infections are associated with diarrhea and gastroenteritis in humans and may also cause respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, hepatitis, and diseases that have high mortality rates, such as aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis in immunocompromised individuals . In addition, some enteric viruses have been linked to chronic diseases such as myocarditis and insulin-dependent diabetes (Richard et. Al, 2004).

The Cascade Project site exhibits these vulnerable conditions and therefore warrants a careful analysis of pathogen transport to determine an appropriate setback distance from Pine Brook to ensure that pathogens are not discharged to the brook. YMCA Camp Chickami is located directly downstream of the proposed development. This facility is reported to utilize the brook and attached ponds as a play area for children, who would be put at risk if a major source of pathogens is introduced into Pine Brook."

West Suburban YMCA President Jack Fucci delivered a powerful speech at this hearing, imploring the Wayland ZBA to focus on the real issues -- and reject the risks that Zieff's apartment complex would create.

For more info see: www.ProtectWayland.org