News All News Newsletter Recent Grants Back to main menu Overview Grant Awards 2022-23 Accolades Publications Media Information Social Media Information Science Communication Resources for Scientists Obituaries Home All News How Will Sea Level Rise Affect Falmouth's Sewer Plans? | Falmouth Enterprise A statue of biologist and writer Rachel Carson, who sounded the alarm in the 1960s about environmental degradation, in 's Waterfront Park. Credit: Daniel Cojanu By Gilda Geist | Falmouth Enterprise July 06, 2023 Share Articles Related Scientists Full Name Ivan Valiela Categories Ecosystems Center Media Mentions As the town works toward alleviating nitrogen loading by sewering over the next two decades, it must take into account that low-lying areas of Falmouth will be under water within 50 years, said Ivan Valiela, a scientist at in Woods Hole. In 25 to 50 years, large chunks of coastal Falmouth will submerge regularly, Dr. Valiela said, and added, “I don’t think it’s a wise thing to put pipes ... in areas that have a 25-year life expectancy,” especially given how expensive sewers are to install. Surf Drive, for example, is already flooded regularly by storms, leaving the street covered with sand. “That’s going to increase exponentially,” Dr. Valiela said. “Eventually Salt Pond is going to disappear and the sea is going to move inland. That’s going to flood a heck of a lot of houses with sewer systems.” Share Articles