Published on May 1, 2024 | Modified on September 2, 2024
First posted on February 25, 2023
August 2024 Update – It’s Fixed!
Finally! AutoCamp Cape Cod’s expensive nightmare of a septic system has gotten good news!
AutoCamp Cape Cod, located in Falmouth, now has permission to discharge treated wastewater to improved leaching fields on site. After two months of contractors monitoring the effluent multiple times a week, the Falmouth Board of Health is optimistic about the company’s discharging future.
AutoCamp Cape Cod staff brought forward data showing that 80 to 90 percent of nitrogen was successfully removed from the campground’s wastewater, meeting the Board of Health’s required 12 milligrams per liter.
AutoCamp was given permission in May to use its onsite wastewater facilities for two months, provided discharge to the leaching fields stayed under 12 milligrams per liter and at least 75 percent of nitrogen was removed from the effluent. Staff were also required to get laboratory analysis of the wastewater at least twice a week.
AutoCamp staff were back before the board of health on Monday and proved to its members that their systems had performed well over the past two months.
Moving forward, AutoCamp staff will report back to the board each quarter to provide data on how the wastewater treatment facilities on site are performing.
Congratulations to AutoCamp Cape Cod. This was a huge setback and problem (see below) that literally took years to resolve.
May 2024 Update
The very expensive nightmare continues for AutoCamp Cape Cod.
AutoCamp asked permission of Falmouth Board Of Health to discharge treated wastewater on-site. Since August 2022, AutoCamp has been pumping its wastewater off-site, costing them “several hundred thousand dollars” pumping effluent off-site over the past two years, according to an interview with The Enterprise.
AutoCamp employed subcontractors to work on getting the wastewater treatment system up and running to specifications required by the Falmouth Board of Health (see everything, below). With almost all upgrades and repairs completed, the company wants to put its system to the test and start discharging treated wastewater on site. However, the BoH said in The Enterprise, “Our reluctance is based on history,” health board member George Heufelder said. “It’s getting a lot better, but it’s not been good, so we’re being very conservative with how we let any water go out to that leach field given all the past problems.”
In addition to the field tests, the health board wanted to see improved plumbing connections between the trailers and the system. A a motion was made to delay allowing AutoCamp to discharge its treated wastewater until it can provide two weeks of certified lab test results and a schedule of when the new temporary connections will be installed. The motion was approved by the board, unanimously. Stay tuned for more updates!
July 2023 Update:
No surprise more delays! The new expected date is October 2023. They’ve replaced some toiletries with lower nitrogen products. They’ve hit rocks. Part of the system is replaced. The bottom line: they’re still pumping (liquid waste!) away in trucks to prevent polluting a delicate marsh. Read more here.
April 2023 update:
AutoCamp Cape Cod has been granted an extension. It’s supposed to be fixed by July. They sure have had a rough go of this septic problem!
As we had reported after our first stay at AutoCamp Cape Cod, that AutoCamp Cape Cod septic problems lead to a very serious problem with septic smell permeating part of the property. The problem was noted by others, as well:
AutoCamp Cape Cod Septic Problems – how it Started, where it is now
What’s the cause of AutoCamp Cape Cod septic problems? Their septic system was broken from the beginning. They have been in a heap of trouble with the Falmouth, MA Health Department because AutoCamp Cape Cod is very near a very delicate marsh.
In July 18, 2022 meeting of the Falmouth Health Department, they decided
“if compliance is not achieved by August 29, the occupancy would be reduced to 0. At minimum, 8 days ending on August 29.”
THIS WAS VERY SERIOUS.
AutoCamp Cape Cod could have been shut down on August 29, 2022 for a minimum of 8 days. It would have impacted Labor Day Weekend.
Falmouth is particularly careful about septic problems, as they have experienced several reported septic problems in the past. Septic systems are a common method of wastewater treatment in Falmouth, and like any other septic system, they require regular maintenance to function properly. Failure to maintain a septic system can lead to a variety of issues, including:
- Sewage backups: A septic system that is not properly maintained can cause sewage to backup into homes and businesses.
- Health hazards: Raw sewage can pose significant health hazards, as it contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.
- Environmental damage: A failing septic system can contaminate nearby water sources, which can harm wildlife and ecosystems.
Obviously, this is a super serious health concern, but from AutoCamp’s perspective, it would also be a nightmare of customer experience and satisfaction along with public reviews, like the ones above. No way do they want to see a news story with “AutoCamp Cape Cod Septic Problems” in the title. We apologize for that, but the point of this site is to cover all the AutoCamp news – the bad along with the (so much) good, in an unbiased fashion.
So, they dodged a bullet in July, but it has been expensive: they have been required to pump out ALL “effluent” until the problem is fixed. It was supposed to be fixed by February 6. It hasn’t been. They’ve run into construction and contractor problems. Aside: as a Cape Cod resident, this is so very, very common. We have a limited population in winter, and the contractors are in high demand, as everyone wants everything fixed before the tourist “season” begins.
The project has been overseen by the interim General Manager, Joshua Brillhart. AutoCamp Cape Cod recently hired a new General Manager, Jan Blum. Ironically? Coincidentally? Mr. Blum’s appointment was announced the same day that the septic repairs should have been completed.
The newest problem: concrete tanks have not arrived, and the work on the leaching fields is not completed, either.
Right now, their only open 3 days a week (Fri – Sun), but they’ll be open 7 days starting April 1. They must be anxious to get this work completed, both to comply with Falmouth Health Department but also to not interfere with their guests’ visits.
AutoCamp will provide another update to the health board in March.
As of now, AutoCamp Reviews is recommending that visitors to AutoCamp Cape Cod avoid the Vista Level X Suites. These suites are the ones most impacted by the proximity to the septic fields and the smell eminating from them.
We will continue to monitor the AutoCamp Cape Cod septic problems situation. As those who follow AutoCamp know, it’s an expensive trip. You want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck – and not stuck being near a wretched smell.
One point we want to make clear: we do not feel AutoCamp Cape Cod has acted maliciously. They’ve been plagued with very bad luck – and very expensive bad lucky. Our visit to AutoCamp Cape Cod was really enjoyable, and we’ll be back. In the meantime, we’re rooting for them – and Falmouth – to get this fixed.
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