How Good Waste Water Management Leads to Less Wasted Space

Sustainable Transportation: The Unexpected Role of Wastewater Systems

In our latest interview for the Sustainable Transportation series, we spoke with Kate McCarthy, a dedicated advocate for sustainable planning in Vermont who now works for the Vermont Community Foundation. McCarthy challenges the conventional understanding of creating a clean transportation system by highlighting the profound impact of wastewater systems on neighborhood design, which, in turn, influences transportation choices.

Connecting the Dots: Wastewater and Neighborhood Coherence

McCarthy begins by explaining the connection between wastewater systems and neighborhood design. "Wastewater describes a variety of things," she says. "When you have a community wastewater system, you've got pipes that take your waste elsewhere into gray water. That allows you to have things closer together, which is a very traditional approach to neighborhoods."

This centralized approach to waste management provides an alternative to the widespread use of septic systems, offering the potential for more compact living spaces. "Reduced reliance on septic systems and increased use of centralized wastewater systems can contribute to environmental sustainability," McCarthy says. "With homes closer together, neighborhoods become more walkable and bikeable, encouraging residents to choose active modes of transportation." Currently, it is estimated about 55% of Vermonters rely on septic systems, in both homes and commercial buildings. 

Walkability, Biking, and Public Transit: A Ripple Effect on Transportation

The ripple effect of centralized wastewater systems extends to how neighborhoods are built, influencing modes of transportation. "When you have a more compact neighborhood, you can have a higher density of housing, which makes it more feasible to provide public transit," McCarthy says. "And when you have more people living close together, it's easier to walk or bike to destinations, which reduces the need for cars."

The implication is clear: sustainable transportation is not just about building bike lanes; it's about reimagining the fundamental structure of our communities.

Changing our Routines: “Try it once”

McCarthy sheds light on the power of personal transformation in steering collective change. "It's this organic process where individuals alter their routines, whether it's embracing cargo bikes or patiently waiting at bus stops, become inadvertent ambassadors for change," McCarthy observes. She shares a story about her father, once a motorcycle enthusiast who underwent a transformative shift. After a brief trial run with a borrowed cargo bike, he was hooked. "My dad got rid of his motorcycle and opted for a cargo bike, now zipping around Southern Maine, fetching groceries," McCarthy chuckles. 

McCarthy underscores the role of influential figures and advocacy groups in amplifying these stories, with a nod to initiatives like Capstone Community Action in Barre. Their innovative model, the Capstone community rides, embraces shared electric vehicles, challenging the conventional notion of individual car ownership where “instead of you and me and everybody else having our own internal combustion engine or electric vehicle, it's a shared asset.” says McCarthy.

Kate McCarthy & family out on a bike ride. Image courtesy of Kate McCarthy

As McCarthy advocates for these unconventional connections between seemingly distinct elements, she emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and community acceptance. "It's easy for me to show up at a meeting and express concerns about my neighbor, adding another story to their house," she says. "But people resist change more when they feel out of control in other parts of their lives."

Tying it Together: Housing as a Transportation Solution

In a closing note, McCarthy encapsulates her holistic perspective, echoing a sentiment from a Portland city councilor: "Housing as a transportation solution. How do we accommodate more housing in compact areas? How do we welcome new housing in compact areas and consider new neighborhoods adjacent to existing development? These factors will provide us with more choices."

The interview leaves us with an understanding that to achieve sustainable transportation systems, we must consider the interconnectedness of various aspects of community planning, including the unexpected role of wastewater systems.

As we consider the future of transportation, Kate McCarthy's perspective offers a valuable reminder that the solutions to our most pressing problems are often found in the most unexpected places.