Barnstable County’s Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) Secures $2.8M Grant to Lead U.S. Sanitation Innovation
MASSTC to Establish U.S. Based Certification Testing for Reinvented Toilets
July 24, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) – The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC), a division of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the Gates Foundation to establish the first U.S.-based ISO 30500 testing platform for non-sewered sanitation systems—commonly known as “reinvented toilets”.
These advanced, self-contained systems are designed for areas lacking centralized sewer infrastructure and play a vital role in improving public health and environmental conditions in underserved communities around the world. This initiative supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #6: ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.
As part of the project, MASSTC will hire and train three new staff members: a certification testing coordinator, a system operator, and a temporary lab assistant. These team members will conduct performance testing, manage operations, and ensure compliance with international standards.
“This puts us on the global map,” said Vice Chair Mark Forest. “MASSTC is no longer just a Cape Cod leader—it’s now part of an international effort to address one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.”
Testing is expected to begin in early 2026, with support from the Gates Foundation and in collaboration with NSF International. This is an important step in bringing the reinvented toilet systems to the U.S. market in the coming years.
MASSTC was selected by the Gates Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene team, which recognized the Test Center’s 25+ years of technical expertise and its proven track record in wastewater technology testing. While the certification has global significance, it could also directly benefit Cape Cod by providing alternatives to traditional septic systems and supporting housing development on smaller lots and in environmentally sensitive areas.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Established under a Special Act of the Legislature in 1926, the Barnstable County Department of Health & Environment (BCDHE) provides regional public health and environmental health services throughout the 15 towns comprising Barnstable County. The Department manages several environmental, public health, and homeland security grants funded through state and federal resources. The Department’s primary mission is to protect public health and the environment and promote the physical and mental health and well-being of Barnstable County residents.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD
Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
