Nantucket Boards Agree to Revise Septic Regulations With Housing Protections

Planning Board · Meeting of March 17, 2026

Nantucket's Planning Board, Board of Health, and Affordable Housing Trust met jointly to debate proposed septic regulations requiring innovative alternative systems across the Hummock Pond Watershed and Wellhead Protection District. Environmental Contamination Administrator Andrew Shapiro presented data showing wastewater accounts for 81 percent of controllable nitrogen loading into Hummock Pond and that one Wannacomet well has been offline since 2022 after PFAS concentrations reached 55.5 parts per trillion — more than double the state's 20 parts per trillion limit. Planning Board Member Joseph Topham cited IA system costs of at least $85,000 plus roughly $2,500 in annual inspections, and board members from all three bodies pressed for specific hardship waivers, an expanded septic loan program, and a clearer definition of what construction actually triggers the upgrade requirement.

The three boards agreed that planning, Board of Health, and housing department staff will collaborate on a revised draft that enumerates the protections sought in a January Select Board letter before any final vote is taken.

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Source: the Planning Board meeting of March 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.