Category: Water Quality
Natural systems are central to Cape Cod’s identity and resilience, shaping the region’s environment, economy, and quality of life. A series of lightning talks by Commission staff highlighted efforts to protect ponds, enhance outdoor access, and build resilience in the face of climate stress, sharing practical actions communities and residents can take.
At this year's OneCape Conference, Erin Perry, Deputy Director of the Cape Cod Commission, reflected on the 10-year journey since the adoption of the region's Section 208 Water Quality Management Plan. She reminded the audience that in 2015, wastewater was the central topic of discussion: "Ten years ago at OneCape, all we talked about was wastewater - it was the entire content of the summit."
The Cape Cod Commission is pleased to announce the release of the final Freshwater Strategy, a comprehensive, data-driven plan that defines a path forward for Cape Cod to support healthy, functioning ponds and lakes.
Unanticipated changes to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund’s financing of local wastewater projects have prompted urgent action from local officials.
On January 13, 2025, the CCIWPF Board voted to approve two key motions to enhance financial support for water quality monitoring programs, highlighting their connection to the Fund's mission. These programs aim to improve the understanding of both coastal and freshwater ecosystems, ensuring informed, science-based decision-making for the region.
As work on the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative nears completion, the Cape Cod Commission is pleased to present new tools and resources to support the region’s freshwater ponds.
The Cape Cod Commission launched the Freshwater Initiative in 2022, responding to growing concerns about the health of the region's 890 ponds and lakes. Cape Cod's freshwater resources are dynamic natural systems that contribute to the region's identity. A strategy to support protection and restoration of Cape Cod’s ponds is nearly complete. It includes data, research, and re
The Center for Coastal Studies will continue to monitor water quality in the waters surrounding Cape Cod.
The Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative is a science-based, information-driven planning process that engages stakeholders and enables action to protect and restore Cape Cod’s freshwater resources. It began in 2021 with an update to the Cape Cod Ponds Atlas. Since then, the team has been working to collect the data needed to make informed management decisions in our ponds and to better understand how they are changing from season to season and year to year.
During its meeting on March 22, 2024, the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board voted to adopt a new model for providing subsidies to projects listed on the Clean Water Intended Use Plan (IUP), beginning with projects listed on the 2023 IUP. Fund disbursements will shift from a principal forgiveness model to one that provides a portion of the 25% subsidy over the loan term. Subsidy payments are made when principal payments on the loan are due.
