CHAPTER 6 - ANALYSIS OF LAND -USE WITHIN ZOC FOR TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MAT. 

 Cape Cod Aquifer Management Project Final Report Page 62 



Control of Underground Storage Tanks 



As highlighted in the "Findings" Section and Tables 6.2, 6.3, and 6.7, 

 the potential for groundwater pollution from petroleum products in ZOC #1 

 is a major continuing threat. Strong protective measures are crucial for 

 preventing future contamination incidents. 



The Department of Public Safety regulations provide the overall frame- 

 work for tank control in Massachusetts. However, these regulations do not 

 address the problem of tanks in close proximity to public -supply wells, 

 control of aging tanks, and control of exempted residential fuel oil 

 tanks. The Barnstable County Health and Environment Department recommends 

 that Cape Cod towns adopt its model bylaw to fill in some of these program 

 gaps. This model bylaw requires tank registration, tightness testing for 

 USTS exempt under the state regulations, and mandatory UST removal after 

 30 years. 



State regulations place primary UST responsibility with the local fire 

 districts. Barnstable has several fire districts which are under the 

 control of each district as well as a local bylaw which gives some authori- 

 ty over USTs to the BOH. The appointment of an UST coordinator could 

 alleviate some of the resulting fragmentation. Such an individual could 

 provide a leadership role at the local level and encourage data sharing 

 and utilization in land use decision making. 



6 . 6 Conclusions 



Several changes in groundwater management, at all levels of govern- 

 ment, must take place before a wellhead-protection approach can be fully 

 institutionalized. Data must be maintained in an easily usable form and 

 should be utilized by decision makers in all programs affecting groundwa- 

 ter quality, especially those involved with local zoning and land-use 

 planning. There must be improved coordination of information, program 

 responsibilities, and enforcement between and among levels of government. 

 The results of such coordination are documented in the success of the 

 hazardous waste manifest program. These changes will require new commit- 

 ment and effort from all involved agencies. The results will lead to a 

 strong and focused groundwater management program. 



The results of this study document the high risk posed to groundwater 

 by existing land uses. Protection of a highly developed zone, such as the 

 Barnstable ZOC #1, must focus on implementation of programs regulating 

 existing activities and on increased monitoring of groundwater quality. 

 Less developed zones may be afforded protection through sound land-use 

 planning. Even with strong groundwater controls in place, it is possible 

 that the wells in ZOC #1 might become contaminated in the future. While 

 the groundwater management goal is to prevent contamination, it is possi- 

 ble that wellhead treatment of contaminants may have to be considered in 

 the future . 



CCAMP observed that management of the major threats to the resource is 

 limited by poor program implementation and a lack of communication between 



