{"id":730,"date":"2018-03-28T20:43:09","date_gmt":"2018-03-29T00:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/?page_id=730"},"modified":"2026-03-04T15:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T20:48:08","slug":"cape-cod","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/communities\/cape-cod\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Cod"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Map<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Groundwater on Cape Cod has been contaminated by PFAS from multiple sources. To date, these sources have been identified as fire training areas, airports, military bases, landfills, municipal wastewater biosolids, and private septic systems. The spread of PFAS is exacerbated by Barnstable\u2019s location in an outwash plain with permeable soil. The result is that groundwater aquifers are highly susceptible to movement of contaminants from the surface of the ground\u00ad\u2014the place where surface water both contributes to aquifers and enters the food web.  Given these multiple inputs of PFAS and the unique geology of the area, there is an ongoing threat to Cape Cod\u2019s sole source aquifer that provides drinking water for 200,000 year-round and 500,000 summer residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once PFAS get into groundwater, they move with the groundwater and eventually can contaminate both public and private drinking water sources. Prior research by Silent Spring Institute demonstrated the presence of PFAS in both public and private drinking water wells, which spurred action by the Hyannis Water System in the Town of Barnstable to install activated carbon treatment to remove PFAS. Currently, however, private well owners are not required to test for PFAS, so there is little information about the extent of PFAS contamination in Cape Cod private wells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contamination Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The primary contamination source that STEEP addresses on Cape Cod is aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which are a class of firefighting foams used to fight fuel fires. These AFFFs have been used in firefighting training at the Barnstable County Fire\/Rescue Training Academy (BCFTA) and the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC).  STEEP researchers are assessing the movement of PFAS from AFFF seeping into groundwater to better understand how these chemicals can end up in private drinking water wells and accumulate in food webs. Once in groundwater and food sources, this can lead to human exposure through drinking contaminated tap water or eating contaminated fish.<\/p>\n\n\n

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PFAS can enter groundwater and food sources. Leads to human exposure through drinking contaminated tap water or eating contaminated fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

STEEP\u2019s Community Engagement Core (CEC) works with community members and local officials on Cape Cod to raise awareness of the potential risks of PFAS exposure and to effect behavior change to reduce exposure. CEC leads a private well water testing program to identify areas of the Cape where private wells may be at risk from PFAS contamination. To date they have tested water samples from 101 private wells in 12 towns across Cape Cod<\/a>. Concurrently, STEEP researchers are working to better understand human health effects, to provide resources focused on minimizing exposure from drinking water and other sources, and to develop more cost-effective ways of testing for PFAS in the environment. The information that STEEP collects by working with the Cape Cod community is available and growing to help address concerns of other similarly contaminated sites throughout the U.S. and globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are My Risks?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Residents in some parts of Cape Cod, and many other communities across the U.S., have been exposed to elevated PFAS levels through contaminated drinking water. These elevated levels are of particular concern for pregnant women and nursing mothers because in utero and early life exposures are extremely vulnerable periods of development for a fetus and infant. PFAS are linked to a wide range of health effects. They suppress certain immune system functions, particularly in children, impact metabolic and liver functions, and are linked to some cancers and adverse effects on pregnancy, such as low birth weight. Recent research has shown the suppression of the immune system as possibly predictive of a more serious course of disease with COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address community concerns about PFAS and inform local decision-makers, STEEP regularly updates Cape Cod residents on its research, which assesses the extent of PFAS contamination in Cape Cod waters, characterizes human exposure pathways (e.g., drinking water, fish consumption), and analyzes the movement of PFAS in groundwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Reduce Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Hans Keijser, superintendent of the Barnstable Water Supply Division<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Hyannis Water System is using effective methods for removing PFOS and PFOA, the two most common PFAS in drinking water. This treatment, coupled with water purchased from other water systems, has brought the levels of PFOS and PFOA in Hyannis tap water below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s 2016 Health Advisory of 70 parts per trillion combined. In addition, several states in the U.S.\u2014among them Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have reduced or are working on legislation to reduce the acceptable standard for PFAS at levels considerably below the 70 ppt now set by the EPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private well owners who learn that their well is contaminated can install treatment, such as activated carbon or reverse osmosis, to reduce PFAS. But it is important to recognize that everyone is exposed to PFAS in multiple ways in addition to drinking water and should take steps to identify and reduce their collective exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s not currently a practical way to reduce the level of PFAS already in the body, but it\u2019s important to do as much as possible to limit future exposures.  Double-check STEEP\u2019s \u201cWhat are PFAS?\u201d section for consumer products that contain PFAS, don\u2019t hesitate to contact manufacturers for products that contain PFAS, signup for PFAS updates<\/a> , and apply this knowledge to everyday choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many organizations across Cape Cod are working to protect drinking water and public health. STEEP\u2019s Community Engagement Core works closely with the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, the Sierra Club Cape Cod Group, and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, along with members of the STEEP Cape Cod Advisory Committee. Together, these partners collaborate with residents, Tribal leaders, and local officials to better understand PFAS contamination and support actions that protect water quality and community health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> MBCC works to prevent environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and policy change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sierra Club Cape Cod Group<\/strong><\/a>: The Sierra Club Cape Cod Group works to protect the region\u2019s natural resources, with a focus on addressing contamination from the Massachusetts Military Reservation that has affected large areas of Cape Cod\u2019s sole-source drinking water aquifer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe<\/strong><\/a>: The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, one of two federally recognized Wampanoag tribes in Massachusetts, is based in Mashpee. The Tribe partners with STEEP to better understand PFAS contamination and to share information about exposure risks and practical ways to reduce them within the Tribal community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape Cod Advisory Committee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Cape Cod Advisory Committee brings together community leaders, scientists, educators, and public officials who provide guidance to STEEP and help connect research with local priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Betty Anne Bevis, Volunteer, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Linda Bolliger, Community Liaison, Hyannis PFAS Action Group<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tom Cambareri, Hydrologist, Sole-Source Consulting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Jennifer Caron, Science Curriculum Coordinator, Barnstable High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Hans Keijser, Supervisor, Barnstable Department of Public Works, Water Supply Division<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Keith Lewison, Chair, Sierra Club Cape Cod Group<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dan Santos, Director, Department of Public Works, Town of Barnstable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Jason Steiding, Director, Natural Resources Department, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Facilitators:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Emily Diamond, University of Rhode Island, STEEP Community Engagement Core Co-Lead<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Laurel Schaider, Silent Spring Institute, STEEP Community Engagement Core Co-Lead<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Silent Spring Institute Cape Cod Coordinator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Groundwater on Cape Cod has been contaminated by PFAS from multiple sources. To date, these sources have been identified as fire training areas, airports, military bases, landfills, municipal wastewater biosolids, and private septic systems. The spread of PFAS is exacerbated by Barnstable\u2019s location in an outwash plain with permeable soil. The result is that groundwater […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4688,"featured_media":0,"parent":722,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-730","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4688"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=730"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18197,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/730\/revisions\/18197"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/steep\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}