Cape Cod's super bowl problem

Also: Snow on the way — for real this time; "gender-affirming haircuts" in the South End [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 12, 2024 ☀️ Today is sunny, with a high of 48. Good Morning Boston, How's this for [weather whiplash]( After [record temperatures Saturday]( a nor'easter is coming in hot and heavy tomorrow with what could be the city's biggest snowfall this year. Meteorologist Danielle Noyes [is forecasting between 8 to 12 inches of snow across Massachusetts]( including in Boston and the other coastal parts of the state that have mostly missed out so far this winter. The National Weather Service's [latest expected snowfall map]( predicts everywhere west of Boston and inside the 1-495 loop will be hardest hit. The snow won't start until tomorrow morning, but it will make travel "[very difficult]( So, plan your commute accordingly. Now, to the news: - A super (toilet) bowl problem: Cape Cod's water — its coastline, its freshwater ponds, its saltwater bays — is the linchpin of its tourism-centric economy, and it's increasingly in bad shape. A recent report found 90% of Cape Cod's coastal bays and more than a third of its ponds — used for swimming, boating and fishing — now have "unacceptable" water quality. There are solutions to this problem. But [as WBUR's Barbara Moran reports in this new two-part collaboration with Scientific American]( they're not cheap. Last year, as Barb [first reported]( the state issued new rules that could require Cape towns and property owners to fork up huge sums of money to upgrade their septic systems in the coming years. But why aren't the rules needed in other parts of Massachusetts? Before we dive in deeper, here's a look at what makes this problem unique to our favorite peninsula: - Inside the septic tank: To understand the Cape's problems, you need to understand the humble septic tank. About 85% of Cape Cod properties use septic tanks, rather than a connected sewer system. That means all of the houses' wastewater (from the toilet, the sink, etc.) flows into a large underground tank. The solids (💩) sink to the bottom of the tank, while the untreated liquid — rich in algae-feeding nutrients – seeps into the ground. - Why are septic tanks a problem? Septic tanks are fine in rural areas where houses are spread out. But that's no longer the case for much of the Cape. The region's population has nearly quintupled since the 1950s — from 50,000 full-time residents to 230,000 today. And that doesn't count the millions of visitors that flock there each summer. In other words, the Cape has simply gotten too dense to absorb all that wastewater. - There are two other environmental factors: The Cape's sandy soil makes it extra-easy for that liquid to flow into bays and ponds. Meanwhile, climate change [makes algae blooms grow faster](. - What are the solutions? [Barb's story]( has a closer look at how different Cape communities are approaching the issue. Generally, there are two approaches. The first is switching more populated towns onto sewer systems — a long, complicated and expensive process. The second is upgrading your septic system (less time-consuming, but individually expensive). - There's also a third, relatively cheaper solution — which involves a special toilet. You can read more about the promise of "pee-cycling" in the [second installment of Barb's series](. - About last night: [Super Bowl 58]( turned out to be the seventh-longest game in NFL history, and a lot happened during it. The Kansas City Chiefs [won their second straight championship]( Usher put on [a slightly chaotic, if well-received halftime show]( the ads [played it safe]( Donald Trump [railed at Taylor Swift]( and Beyonce [released two new songs](. - The local angle: [Dunkin's new Super Bowl ads]( showcased a whole lotta Boston by featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Tom Brady (who [showed he still has an impressive arm in the outtakes](. - ICYMI: In other football news, the Patriots [are hiring former linebacker Dont'a Hightower]( to coach the position he once played. - Dog fight at the Garden: It will be Terriers versus Huskies tonight at TD Garden, as Boston University takes on Northeastern for the men's Beanpot trophy. As WBUR's Fausto Menard reports, bragging rights are on the line in the local hockey rivalry. - By the numbers: While BU has more Beanpot titles than anyone (30), Northeastern has won four of the last five trophies. The Huskies also beat the Terriers in their last game two weeks ago. - The puck drops tonight at 7:30 p.m., with tickets [starting at $103](. P.S.— Today is the last day to [send Winston flowers and support WBUR](. We need your order by 8 p.m. tonight to get your roses delivered on Valentine's Day and support independent journalism. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Mass. Senate Chamber to honor Frederick Douglass with new bust]( The Massachusetts Senate plans to unveil a bust in the branch's chamber honoring Frederick Douglass' legacy during a ceremony this week. It's the first bust to be added to the Senate Chamber since 1898, as well as the first state-commissioned bust of a Black person in the State House. [Read more.]( [Mass. Senate Chamber to honor Frederick Douglass with new bust]( The Massachusetts Senate plans to unveil a bust in the branch's chamber honoring Frederick Douglass' legacy during a ceremony this week. It's the first bust to be added to the Senate Chamber since 1898, as well as the first state-commissioned bust of a Black person in the State House. [Read more.]( [Israeli military operation in Rafah 'cannot proceed,' U.S. ambassador to the UN says]( U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told NPR that under the current conditions, Israeli military operations in Rafah would "dramatically exacerbate the humanitarian emergency." [Read more.]( [Israeli military operation in Rafah 'cannot proceed,' U.S. ambassador to the UN says]( U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told NPR that under the current conditions, Israeli military operations in Rafah would "dramatically exacerbate the humanitarian emergency." [Read more.]( [Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S. — even if Americans don't believe it]( In 2020, the United States experienced one of its most dangerous years in decades. But in 2023, crime in America looked very different. That change may have gone unnoticed. [Read more.]( [Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S. — even if Americans don't believe it]( In 2020, the United States experienced one of its most dangerous years in decades. But in 2023, crime in America looked very different. That change may have gone unnoticed. [Read more.]( [Kelvin Kiptum, men's marathon world record holder, dies in a car crash]( World Athletics confirmed the 24-year-old died in his native Kenya alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. [Read more.]( [Kelvin Kiptum, men's marathon world record holder, dies in a car crash]( World Athletics confirmed the 24-year-old died in his native Kenya alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. [Read more.]( [Second man pleads guilty to charges related to intimidation of journalist in Melrose]( Michael Waselchuck of Seabrook, New Hampshire, pled guilty in federal court Thursday for charges related to a vandalism and intimidation campaign against New Hampshire Public Radio journalists. [Read more.]( [Second man pleads guilty to charges related to intimidation of journalist in Melrose]( Michael Waselchuck of Seabrook, New Hampshire, pled guilty in federal court Thursday for charges related to a vandalism and intimidation campaign against New Hampshire Public Radio journalists. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - This week at CitySpace: Love is in the air! CitySpace is hosting a[speed dating event tonight]( with our friends at Skip the Small Talk — and we need more single guys (aged 25 to 35-ish) to sign up to even out the numbers. - There'll also be a [romance-themed Moth StorySLAM on Tuesday night]( a [celebration of romance novels]( with authors Thursday night and [a live taping of a Valentine's Day-edition of the podcast Mortified]( to cap off the week. - Speaking of love, "the most romantic movie of 2023" is coming to theaters in Boston just ahead of Valentine's Day, [writes film critic Sean Burns.]( In "The Taste of Things," Burns writes that food and love swirl together to create a sensual, cinematic picture about "fleeting pleasures to be savored in the moment, before they’re gone forever." - In 2019, M Arida became the first well-known barber in the Boston area to specifically market to the queer community. Now, [as WBUR's Amy Sokolow reports]( Arida delivers hundreds of "gender-affirming" haircuts to clients in their chair at Barbershop Deluxe, a shop in the South End, while amassing thousands of followers on social media. - Leigh Gilmore [writes in this Cognoscenti commentary]( that three factors converged to make E. Jean Carroll's $83 million defamation verdict against Donald Trump possible.  What We're Reading 📚 - The conflagration that would consume Harvard? It began on this Palestinian activist’s laptop. ([The Boston Globe]( - At This California Radio Station, the Call Letters Say It All ([The New York Times]( - Worcester Housing Authority being investigated for living and working conditions ([GBH News](  Tell Me Something Good [Mainer among three longtime friends who have attended every Super Bowl — and don't intend to stop]( Three friends who say they are the final fans who can claim membership in the exclusive “never missed a Super Bowl” club are back again for number 58 this year. [Read more.]( [Mainer among three longtime friends who have attended every Super Bowl — and don't intend to stop]( Three friends who say they are the final fans who can claim membership in the exclusive “never missed a Super Bowl” club are back again for number 58 this year. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common talks to WBUR's Gabrielle Emanuel about the long journey [many recent migrants make from Haiti to Massachusetts.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? 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