Barnstable Clean Water Coalition

What Barnstable Clean Water Coalition does

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (BCWC), legally Three Bays Preservation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Osterville, Massachusetts, dedicated to restoring and preserving clean water throughout the Town of Barnstable on Cape Cod. The organization operates a portfolio of field-science and mitigation programs: cranberry bog water-quality monitoring (covering ~150 acres at the Marstons Mills River headwaters), streamflow monitoring, estuary sampling through a 15+ year partnership with UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), pond and lake stewardship through the Cape Cod Commission's PALS program, marine invasive species tracking, and citizen-science herring counts. Mitigation is delivered through cranberry bog conversion to wetlands, installation of innovative/alternative (I/A) septic systems (including a KleanTu NitROE pilot that has achieved 93-96% nitrogen reduction), oyster aquaculture via a 50,000-oyster upweller at Hyannis Harbor, and mesocosm-based wetland research. Advocacy and education are delivered through Coalition Quarterly newsletters (30 issues published), published guides, a video library, and recurring Clean Water Mondays/Wednesdays lectures at Cape Cod Beer.

BCWC is led by Executive Director Zenas Crocker (since 2017) with a small core staff of about five (including a Director of Operations, Field Operations Manager, and staff supporting the I/A septic program), supplemented by seasonal Water Steward Interns. Revenue is generated from individual donations and grants from government and foundation sources (notably a $1,615,869 EOEEA grant for the Marstons Mills River restoration), with no fees charged for programs or services. The organization partners deeply with the Town of Barnstable, EPA, Mass DFG Division of Ecological Restoration, MASSTC, The Nature Conservancy, Mass Audubon, APCC, Barnstable Land Trust, Cape Cod Commission, Conservation Law Foundation, Native Lands Conservancy, and KleanTu LLC, and has earned 2024 Candid Gold Seal transparency and Charity Navigator Four-Star recognitions.

Name

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition

Legal name

Three Bays Preservation, Inc.

Website

https://bcleanwater.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Osterville, Massachusetts that monitors water quality and runs restoration projects — including cranberry bog conversion, innovative septic system pilots, and oyster aquaculture — across the Three Bays watershed on Cape Cod.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Shellfish Farming (112512), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Aquaculture Farm Services & Operations Support (net cleaning, diving, grading, harvesting) (AFAEAAAM)

Keywords

• Watershed restoration services
• Water quality monitoring
• Nitrogen pollution mitigation
• Wetland conservation
• Citizen science programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Osterville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals to support clean water initiatives, with a visible 'Donate Now' CTA on their website and twenty-year legacy of restoring and protecting clean water in Barnstable
2. Grant Funding: BCWC receives grant funding from government agencies and foundations including a $1.6M grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for cranberry bog restoration, and EPA funding for monitoring septic systems

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that restores and preserves clean water in Barnstable, Cape Cod through science-based environmental programs. Its portfolio spans water quality monitoring (cranberry bog, streamflow, estuary, invasive species, pond/lake), nitrogen-mitigation projects (I/A septic system pilots, cranberry bog-to-wetland restoration, oyster upweller aquaculture, permeable reactive barriers), and public education (Clean Water Mondays lecture series, Coalition Quarterly newsletter, citizen science like herring counts).

Product overview

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (BCWC) is a non-profit environmental organization operating a portfolio of water quality monitoring programs and restoration projects. The organization offers citizen science monitoring initiatives including cranberry bog monitoring, streamflow monitoring, estuary sampling (in partnership with UMass Dartmouth SMAST), marine invasive species monitoring, pond and lake stewardship, and herring run counting. BCWC's mitigation portfolio includes cranberry bog restoration to wetlands, innovative/alternative (I/A) septic system installations, oyster upweller aquaculture projects, and the Shubael Pond nitrogen reduction initiative. The organization also provides educational resources through Coalition Quarterly newsletters, books on water quality and landscape design, video libraries, and the Clean Water Mondays/Wednesdays lecture series. BCWC functions as a science-based coalition utilizing four core components: educate, monitor, mitigate, and advocate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cranberry Bog Monitoring Program Water quality monitoring program covering approximately 150 acres of cranberry bogs at the headwaters of the Marstons Mills River, collecting data on nitrogen flows into the Three Bays Watershed. Targeted for residents and policymakers in Barnstable and Cape Cod.
• Marstons Mills River Herring Run Program Citizen science herring counting and observation program during the spring migration run along the Marstons Mills River from April to June, providing ecological data and engaging local volunteers.
• Cranberry Bog Restoration Project Wetland restoration initiative converting approximately 78 acres (55-78 acres) of cranberry bogs into natural freshwater wetlands to reduce nitrogen flow into the Three Bays Estuary; funded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
• I/A Septic System Pilot Installations Innovative/Alternative (I/A) septic system installations designed to reduce nitrogen in household wastewater, including the KleanTu NitROE system achieving 93-96% nitrogen removal, deployed in partnership with the Town of Barnstable and MASSTC for a 3-year monitoring study.
• Hyannis Oyster Upweller Aquaculture Project Oyster upweller tank at Gateway Marina in Hyannis Harbor raising oysters from seed-size (2mm) to juvenile-size (25mm) while filtering nitrogen from harbor water; built with Massachusetts Oyster Project and Town of Barnstable.
• Coalition Quarterly Newsletter Quarterly newsletter publication covering water quality issues, BCWC projects, and environmental news for Cape Cod residents and supporters; 30+ issues published since 2017.
• A Guide to CLEAN WATER LIVING on Cape Cod Educational guide book featuring information about Cape Cod water, water problems, and conservation tips; available to residents and visitors.
• Design with Nature on Cape Cod and the Islands Educational book about ecologically-based landscaping practices for preserving Cape Cod's unique environment and water quality.
• Three Bays Watershed: Landscape-Based Solutions Research Publication Landscape-based solutions report for the Three Bays Watershed (Cotuit, North and West Bay) addressing nitrogen pollution from septic systems, stormwater, and fertilizers.
• Clean Water Mondays/Wednesdays Educational Lecture Series Free educational lecture series hosted at Cape Cod Beer covering Cape Cod water quality topics and global environmental issues, with experts including BCWC board member Jack Ahern and the Conservation Law Foundation's Vice President Chris Kilian.
• Mesocosm Wetland Research Program Small-scale experimental systems recreating natural ecosystems to compare the effectiveness of various wetland designs in removing nitrogen from water flowing through cranberry bogs.
• Shubael Pond Nitrogen Reduction Project Project addressing nitrogen pollution from septic systems in the Shubael Pond area using innovative/alternative septic system technology, with I/A system installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93-96% total nitrogen reduction achieved in I/A septic systems with full-time occupants
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Oyster Project (MOP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2018Partnership to raise oysters in upweller tank at Gateway Marina in Hyannis Harbor. Built and installed oyster upweller to grow oysters from seed-size (2mm) to juvenile-size (25mm) while filtering nitrogen from harbor water. 50,000 oysters were placed in the upweller. Goal was to educate public on oyster benefits and restore native oyster populations.
• Massachusetts Alternative Septic Systems Test Center (MASSTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting and monitoring of innovative/alternative septic systems including KleanTu NitROE technology. MASSTC provides technical expertise, water sampling analysis, and performance monitoring for 3-year study of nitrogen removal effectiveness.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on alternative septic system studies and cranberry bog restoration. Provided research showing cost-effectiveness: $400/kg nitrogen removal via septic upgrade vs $900/kg via sewer. Climate adaptation scientist Emma Gildesgame involved in projects.
• UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner15+ year partnership for water quality sampling as part of Massachusetts Estuaries Project (MEP). SMAST analyzes water samples for nitrogen, phosphorous, chlorophyll a, and pH. Provides crucial baseline data for Three Bays watershed.
• Cape Cod CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participant in Cape Cod Pond and Lake Stewardship (PALS) program since 2001. Collaborated on 208 Plan (Section 208 of Clean Water Act) for watershed-based approach to restoring embayment water quality.
• Town of BarnstablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on I/A septic system installations, oyster upweller project, and Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) implementation. Town supports projects and provides resources for monitoring.
• Mass AudubonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner and co-manager of Dead Neck Sampson's Island (DNSI), a barrier island south of Grand Island in Osterville. BCWC shares management responsibilities for the island.
• Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological RestorationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Marstons Mills River ecological restoration project. Collaborative effort to restore cranberry bogs to wetlands and reduce nitrogen flow to Three Bays Estuary.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding and monitoring support for alternative septic system projects. EPA funds monitoring of system performance for 3-year study period. Collaborates on Cape Cod water quality management.
• Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on cyanobacteria monitoring and alerts, water quality research, and watershed protection efforts. APCC publishes annual 'State of the Water' reports referenced by BCWC.
• Barnstable Land TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in cranberry bog restoration project and watershed protection efforts in Barnstable.
• Native Lands ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Marstons Mills River ecological restoration project, bringing indigenous perspective to land stewardship.
• Conservation Law FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented at BCWC community forums on water quality issues. Vice President Chris Kilian discussed regulatory changes and litigation efforts to address nitrogen pollution.
• KleanTu LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of NitROE enhanced I/A treatment system being pilot tested by BCWC. System uses aeration chamber and wood chip chamber to achieve up to 95% nitrogen removal from septic wastewater.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Massachusetts Alternative Septic Systems Test Center (MASSTC): Independent testing center providing performance monitoring for I/A septic systems, including BCWC's pilot. Comparable as the technical validation partner for BCWC's septic mitigation program.
• KleanTu LLC: Provider of the NitROE I/A septic system that BCWC is piloting. Comparable as the technology vendor underpinning BCWC's nitrogen-reduction value proposition.

Emerging players

• Conservation Law Foundation: New England environmental advocacy organization that has presented at BCWC forums on nitrogen regulation and litigation. Comparable in advocacy component of BCWC's mission, but operates regionally across multiple states.

Direct peers

• Mass Audubon: Massachusetts-wide habitat conservation nonprofit that co-manages Dead Neck Sampson's Island with BCWC. Comparable in citizen science, land stewardship, and education focus.
• Buzzards Bay Coalition: Southeastern Massachusetts/Cape Cod watershed nonprofit pursuing nitrogen reduction, monitoring, and restoration in Buzzards Bay estuaries. Closely analogous operating model to BCWC's Three Bays work.
• Barnstable Land Trust: Local Barnstable land conservation nonprofit partnering with BCWC on cranberry bog restoration. Highly comparable in geographic scope, mission, and community-based operating model.
• Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC): Regional Cape Cod nonprofit focused on water quality monitoring, cyanobacteria tracking, and watershed advocacy. Directly comparable to BCWC in geography, mission, and partnership overlap (BCWC references APCC's annual 'State of the Water' reports).
• Massachusetts Oyster Project: Nonprofit operating oyster restoration and upweller projects for water filtration. Directly comparable to BCWC's Hyannis upweller initiative and a current strategic partner.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Massachusetts Chapter): Global conservation organization that is also an active BCWC partner on Cape Cod septic and cranberry bog work. Comparable in mission (watershed protection, nitrogen mitigation cost research) but vastly larger in scale and geographic reach.
• Cape Cod Commission: Regional planning and regulatory agency that co-runs the PALS pond monitoring program with BCWC. Comparable in watershed data stewardship and Section 208 planning, but operates as a government authority rather than a nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6PrMw1povl7yQ6NBI8Znrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/bcleanwater
• Instagraminstagram.com/bcleanwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/barnstable-clean-water-coalition

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Barnstable Clean Water Coalition