New Source Investigation Study
In 2017, Weston & Sampson was contracted to assist the Barnstable-Hyannis Water System with a new source alternatives analysis. The system of ten active and two inactive wells located within the Sagamore Lens of the Cape Cod sole source aquifer is susceptible to a wide variety of water quality threats from land uses and commercial / industrial practices in their recharge zones. As such, a series of capital improvements were recommended to upgrade / maintain their existing sources coupled with initiating a town-wide site screening analysis to identify favorable areas for additional groundwater supply development that would avoid areas known to be contaminated by the wide variety of water quality threats, including 1,4 dioxane, perchlorate, nitrate, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The spatial analysis resulted in the identification of eleven sites that were subsequently ranked for future site-specific test well exploration activities. In following with the recommendations of the alternatives analysis, Weston & Sampson completed a series of numerical groundwater modeling simulations for the identified sites to further narrow the potential source list and limit the risk of known plumes of water quality threats. This followed with a groundwater supply investigation at the seven highest ranked sites. The results of the test well drilling activities conducted in 2020/2021 served to identify four locations capable of providing at least 0.72 MGD with a single production well installed. Two of these sites have been selected for further testing and permitting in 2022.