Water
Truro Select Board Letter to Provincetown Select Board
Dear Chair Abramson and Members of the Provincetown Select Board,
Thank you for your recent letter regarding water supply planning and the Walsh Property. We are disappointed that, despite numerous requests for an in-person meeting from our Select Board, you have chosen to approach the joint stewardship of our water supply via a nine-page letter. Furthermore, numerous assertions contained therein are founded upon incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information. Rather than engage in a lengthy point-by-point rebuttal, we continue to believe a more productive approach is to focus on ensuring that both boards, and the public, are working from the same set of facts.
Walsh Water Discussion and Vote at Select Board Meeting
Public Comment
Discussion, Approval, Public Comment
Provincetown Select Board on Walsh Water
Provincetown Weighs In on Truro Water Planning
Austin Miller previewed his letter to the editor at the Provincetown Select Board meeting in advance of what he described as Truro’s surprise agenda the next day calling for a vote to pursue a competing and independent water source.
Transcript
I was hoping to not have to address this tonight, but following the late-breaking announcement that Truro has put on their agenda for their Select Board meeting tomorrow potentially signing a contract to pursue a competing and independent municipal well system from Provincetown's, I wanted to share a letter to the editor that I wrote on behalf of myself, not on behalf of the board.
The most expensive way to solve Truro's water problem.
Board of Health Improves Private Well Protection Area
Expands the well protection zone between septic systems and wells
The Truro Board of Health held a hearing on proposed regulations to better protect private drinking water wells from contamination. The amendment would create an expanded well protection zone by increasing setbacks between septic system leaching fields and wells in the direction of groundwater flow, recognizing that contaminants such as nitrates, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals can travel beyond the current 100-foot Title 5 standard. Experts cited successful implementation in other communities, including Nantucket, and Board members expressed strong support for the proposal as an important step to safeguard Truro’s largely private-well-dependent water supply.
Provincetown Select Board on Walsh Water
Provincetown Weighs In on Truro Water Planning
The Provincetown Select Board voted on May 26 to send a letter to Truro outlining its preferred approach for future water supply and affordable housing planning on the Walsh property.
At the center of the discussion is a proposed public well at Walsh. Provincetown relies on the Pamet Lens aquifer in Truro for its water supply and currently serves 536 accounts in North Truro, with additional growth expected. Town officials argue that a well located on the Walsh property is the most practical and cost-effective option for both communities.
Provincetown's letter urges greater public discussion of the issue. It requests that consultants from Apex, the firm conducting a regional water supply study for both towns, present their findings at Truro's June 4 "Water Works" meeting. Provincetown also supports jointly hosting a public forum on water planning scheduled for June 24.
Provincetown Select Board letter to Truro Select Board
The Provincetown Select Board urges Truro to pursue a cooperative regional water strategy centered on the Walsh Property, arguing that both affordable housing and a future public water supply well can coexist on the site. The letter cites the joint APEX water study, which identifies Walsh Site A as the preferred and least expensive long-term water source within the Pamet Lens aquifer. Provincetown emphasizes that wastewater from Walsh should be routed west of Route 6 to protect future water supplies. The Board requests joint planning, public presentations by APEX, a shared June 24 forum, and a pause on independent well development pending further analysis.
Memo from Provincetown to Truro Town Manager Clark
This memo clarifies that Provincetown has not approved or denied Truro’s December 2024 request for water service to the Walsh Property housing project. Instead, Provincetown states that it is still awaiting engineering plans and supporting documentation that Truro indicated it would provide. The memo notes concerns about locating a large development near the North Union Wellfield and emphasizes the need for discussions about protecting the Pamet Lens aquifer. It also confirms that the proposed Walsh housing project has already been included in Provincetown’s growth management forecast at 9,900 gallons.
The Pamet Lens Paradox: Balancing Development and Clean Water
Amy & Ian have produced an under 5-minute podcast briefing on the latest water situation.
A current discussion between Provincetown and Truro highlights the tension between development and groundwater protection. Over-pumping or improper wastewater management at Truro’s Walsh property risks ruining their shared, delicate freshwater source, the Pamet Lens, via saltwater intrusion or contamination. Provincetown, facing its own severe water limits, is pushing for smart-growth coexistence, a pause on independent wells, and a joint regional engineering plan to safely share the critical resource.
Water and Wastewater Study by APEX
Water Supply and Watershed Management Study - Draft Interim Findings
Water and Wastewater Study by APEX
Water Supply and Watershed Management Study - Draft Interim Findings
Board of Health Water Resources Report
Discussion about Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan and issues with Beach Point nitrogen
Estimates are that it would be a $39 million project to sewer the 91 properties in the East Harbor area of Beach Point that are contributing to the nitrogen load in Provincetown Harbor. We don't have the demonstrated public health issues to justify that cost because of the high amount of tidal flushing in that area. But what's the bigger plan to protect Beach Point? Barrier beaches are fragile, and what are the options, including un-development. Upgrades to I/A systems are being pursued as existing systems fail.
Select Board Letter
Water Planning for the Walsh Property and beyond
The Truro Select Board clarifies that installing a water well on the Walsh property is prohibited by a 1952 legislative act and the current Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with Provincetown. Furthermore, a well would shift protected zones, blocking voter-approved development and vital wastewater planning. The town is legally independent to develop its own water sources and is moving forward with its community vision for the Walsh Overlay District, while continuing collaborative modeling with Provincetown for five alternate, legally compliant well locations.
National Park Service Owns 75 Higgins Hollow Rd Possible Well Site
Previously designated the "C-5" possible well site, the Federal government advises Truro that Federal ownership is supported by a certified title report.
In this December 15, 2025 letter, the National Park Service (NPS) reminds Truro that it considers the 75 Higgins Hollow Road parcel (also known as the former “C-5 Wellhead” site) to be federally owned. NPS states it has found no new information since a 2008 title review that would change its position and notes the parcel has been managed as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore for nearly two decades. Because the land is surrounded by federal property and lacks independent access, NPS says it cannot support Truro’s plans to investigate or develop the site as a water source.
Truro's 11 Million Dollar Gamble
Amy & Ian explain the new Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP), and the impact it will likely have on Truro residents and taxpayers. Can risky prototype tech save Truro from a 1,500 kilogram Nitrogen Crisis.
The Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) for the Town of Truro focuses primarily on nitrogen load reduction in its three coastal watersheds: Wellfleet Harbor, East Harbor (Provincetown Harbor), and Pamet River. The documents outline the need for nitrogen management due to existing Total Maximum Daily Loads and impaired water quality, detailing an Alternatives Screening Analysis of various management strategies, including conventional and innovative/alternative (I/A) nitrogen-reducing septic systems, permeable reactive barriers, and cluster wastewater treatment systems.
Select Board Executive Session
Walsh Property, 0 Quail Ridge Rd, 75 Higgins Hollow Rd ("C-5")
Minutes of Executive Session will be summarized when available
Evaluation of a Walsh Wastewater Treatment System
The GHD memorandum summarizes the evaluations that have been conducted to determine the impacts of recharging treated wastewater from the proposed Walsh development on Truro’s groundwater, with particular attention to potential impacts on nearby wells.
18 page Memorandum
For this simulation, discharge was modelled at the Truro School property, under the ball fields. The groundwater flow model was simulated using 80% of the maximum daily discharge flow conditions. The leaching fields were sized to accommodate Title 5 flows, with one bed out of service. The model indicated that the groundwater mound from the Walsh recharge intersects with interim wellhead protection area (IWPA), but does not impact sensitive resources including MassDEP mapped priority and estimated habitats, wetlands, vernal pools, and areas of cricital environmental concern.
Under the Quail Ridge Site B pumping conditions (500 gpm), the effluent migration pathways from the treatment recharge at the Truro School appear to be within the NUF wells primary capture area.
Truro Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
Joint Selectboard & Board of Health Meeting
Water Allocations for Walsh
Ptown SB discussion about Truro requesting a water allocation for the Walsh project
Water & Sewer Board Meeting
Provincetown Water and Sewer Board Recommends 9,900 GPD Allocation for Truro’s Walsh Property Housing Development
The Provincetown Water and Sewer Board discussed Truro's request for 9,900 gallons per day to support the first phase of the Walsh property housing project. While staff recommended requiring detailed wastewater and groundwater impact studies prior to approval to protect the North Union well field, Truro officials argued that securing the allocation is immediately necessary to issue a developer RFP. The Board voted to recommend the allocation to the Select Board while maintaining technical oversight.
Exploring Truro's Water Limitations
This 8 minute Amy & Ian podcast-style exploration is a synopsis of the hour-long joint Select Board meeting of Truro and Provincetown.
Water Allocations for Walsh
SB discussion about Truro requesting a water allocation from Provincetown for the Walsh project
Water Resources Report
Regular update on water resources by Emily Beebe, Health Agent
Candidate's Night
Held at the Community Center
-- excerpts are edited for brevity (<20 seconds) and clarity. To watch the full recording of Candidate's Night, please click here
Extensive water infrastructure or well-based systems?
Nitrate Threat to Truro Wells
Amy & Ian have produced a 20-minute educational podcast covering the latest research on well water in Truro.
Outer Cape Water Health
A look at the outermost Public Water Supply on Cape Cod
PFAS Testing from Transfer Station
'forever' chemicals testing at 2 locations
Cape Cod Faces a Rising 'Yellow Tide'
from Scientific American and WBUR
Is Truro’s Drinking Water Really Safe?
How wastewater, development, and outdated standards may affect the water many residents drink every day.
This report examines the safety of private well water in Truro and the growing scientific concern over nitrate contamination in groundwater. About 85% of Truro homes rely on private wells drawing from the Cape Cod aquifer, which is highly vulnerable to pollution from septic systems, runoff, and other human activity.
The report argues that while the federal EPA standard for nitrate in drinking water remains 10 mg/L—a limit established in the 1960s primarily to prevent “blue baby syndrome”—newer research links much lower nitrate levels to increased risks of cancers, thyroid disease, and birth defects. Many researchers and organizations now recommend limits closer to 5 mg/L or even 1 mg/L.
Local studies conducted for Truro found areas of concern, especially in North Truro and the Pamet River basin, where some wells exceeded 5 mg/L. The report also warns that nitrate can signal the presence of other harmful contaminants from wastewater.
Beyond health risks, the report highlights potential economic impacts, including declining property values and the enormous cost of building public water infrastructure if groundwater contamination worsens. Overall, it urges stronger monitoring, lower nitrate standards, and greater protection of Truro’s aquifer.
Docs for Truro Safe Water
A Call to Action for the Truro Board of Health
An Ounce of Prevention — Why Truro Must Act to Save Its Drinking Water
docstruro.org
Is the water coming out of your tap truly safe? In this compelling 26-minute presentation, five local scientists and medical professionals from Docs for Truro Safe Water sound the alarm on a hidden but growing public health problem. Backed by decades of peer-reviewed data, they reveal how rising nitrate levels from septic and wastewater systems are quietly contaminating Truro’s shared sole source aquifer—increasing risks for cancer and chronic anxiety. Watch the full video to discover why current legal standards aren't protecting our families, the massive financial toll of inaction, and the urgent solutions needed to save our water before it's too late.