Brewster Ponds Coalition Hosts 11th Annual Pond Summit

BREWSTER – As natural resources diminish and protections are loosened, organizations like the Brewster Ponds Coalition work tirelessly to safeguard the limited, thriving ecosystems that call Cape Cod home. 

With events like the annual pond summit, BPC hopes to educate residents about protecting bodies of water and ensuring that water quality doesn’t degrade. 

The BPC will host its 11th annual pond summit on April 5 at the Brewster Baptist Church. Attendance is free, but registration will start at 9 a.m. Presentations will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will last until 11:30 a.m.

The theme this year focuses on chemicals of emerging concern, “a topic in the news of late both nationally and on Cape Cod,” the group said in a statement. 

One of the leading contaminants is PFAS, or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are man-made chemicals that usually come from cleaning products, water-resistant fabrics, grease-resistant paper, nonstick cookware, personal care products and food. They are toxic to humans and often end up in water and soil supplies. If ingested, some cases may lead to cancer or reproductive harm. 

PFAS has been popping up around the Cape, with reports of levels in Chatham wells as recently as last year. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection put stringent standards in place that local municipalities must meet for the safety of their water. 

Tom Cambareri, a speaker at the event, has an in-depth history with water resource management that includes the mitigation of PFAS. He is a practicing hydrogeologist, owning his own consulting firm where he works with clients on water resource management issues including water supply, wastewater, coastal and freshwater quality, and offers services in hydrogeologic contaminant assessments, remedial solutions, wastewater management and effluent disposal and groundwater modeling.

For over 30 years, Cambareri was the director of water resources at the Cape Cod Commission where he focused on protecting and restoring water quality. He has completed independent reviews of PFAS levels, conducted groundwater modeling for PFAS contaminants as well as a multitude of other related water ventures. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the pond summit stage. 

Additionally, the summit will feature Chatham’s Deputy Director of Public Works Tom Barr. Barr has been a staple in Chatham since 2009 when he worked for Weston & Sampson, which ran the town’s water and sewer operations, as the assistant chief water operator. Over the course of his tenure at the company, Barr held three positions, qualifying him as an expert when it comes to water. 

Prior to 2009, Barr worked as a water operator for the town’s water and sewer contractor, Earth Tech. 

While the event is free, registration is requested and can be completed online before the start time. Visit brewsterponds.org and click “read more and register” under the pond summit event spotlight.