SERVPRO Helps Falmouth Residents with Water Removal All Year Round

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

Falmouth homeowners trust SERVPRO for water removal from their properties

Residents and Visitors Can Enjoy Falmouth All Year Thanks to Our Reliable Water Removal Service

Falmouth is a charming maritime town situated near Cape Cod. The area has plenty to offer visitors all year round, and of course, the proximity to the sea is a big part of the attraction.

Falmouth is the second-largest municipality on Cape Cod (the largest is Barnstable). Colonists settled the town in 1660 and got its name from Bartholomew Gosnold, an English barrister, who named it after the English port of Falmouth in Cornwall. Its Cornish counterpart has a similarly vibrant maritime culture, which makes the name particularly fitting.

Where Leisure Meets Science

One particularly notable thing about Falmouth is its strong presence in the field of marine science! Indeed, the tiny village of Woods Hole, which is part of Falmouth and located on the South Western corner of Cape Cod, boasts several scientific organizations:

• The Sea Education Association is a non-profit educational organization. It currently operates two sailing ships – the SSV Corwith Cramer and the SSV Robert C. Seamans – which travel through the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, offering education about the seas.
• The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a non-profit dedicated to marine science and engineering. Scientists established the Institution in 1930, and it is the largest independent oceanographic research facility in the U.S.
• The Marine Biological Laboratory is associated with the University of Chicago. A staggering 58 Nobel Prize winners have been associated with the Laboratory, some as faculty members or researchers, and others as students. It offers a program of classes and internships all year.
• The Woods Hole Research Center is dedicated to studying climate change impact and researching possible solutions. Scientists at the Center focus on answering policy questions or influencing policy decisions for lasting positive change.
• The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums in the country – it has been around since at least 1857, perhaps a couple of years longer (sources vary!) Residents and visitors are welcome to visit the aquarium, where they will see 140 species of marine animals from the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions. Seeing creatures that live in the seas around your home is excellent entertainment for all the family.

All of these institutions give Falmouth the most vibrant and active marine science community in the United States. Researchers and academics are drawn here, along with students and interns. Residents can enjoy the aquarium and the educational programs on offer.

However, Falmouth is not just about science! The area is rich in exciting places and fun things to do. The entire Cape Cod area is popular with tourists all year round and offers a wealth of shops and restaurants and, of course, miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy.

The Wood’s Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority (usually known as The Steamship Authority) operate out of Falmouth. The Steamship Authority provides the main link between the mainland and Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard is an island that is very popular with tourists thanks to its gorgeous summer weather, prosperous vibes, and vibrant arts, culture, and sports communities that stage regular events throughout the vacation season.

Falmouth Residents Faced Historic Groundwater Pollution Problems

Some residents clearly remember the groundwater pollution problems of the 1970s and 1980s. The problem started at Joint Base Cape Cod (then known as the Massachusetts Military Reservation.) The base is an unofficial joint base, which has stood on its current site since 1935. It was renamed Joint Base Cape Cod in 2013.

The groundwater pollution problems arose due to the disposal of toxic substances at the base, including:

• Industrial chemicals
• Commercial solvents
• Jet fuel

Unfortunately, the contaminated groundwater spilled out into Falmouth and contaminated the well water in parts of the town. At one point, the town was forced to shut a well that supplied around 25% of its water. Authorities commissioned a major report as a result of the pollution incident. After the report, the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment took responsibility for cleaning up the contamination. They installed pumping wells and undertook soil treatments to help clear the contamination.

SERVPRO Helps Falmouth Residents Deal with Contaminated Water

Pollution is not just a groundwater issue. Contamination with dangerous chemicals can happen during any water-based incident. Sources of contamination in water include:

• Chemicals and detergent if a dishwasher overflows
• Raw sewage and microbes if the toilet backs up or overflows into the bathroom
• A range of contaminants including sewage, microbes, viruses, and even carcasses in floodwaters from an overflowing river, sewer, or town drainage system

When there is water in your home, it is natural to want to clean it up straight away. However, it is much better to call a professional water removal crew like SERVPRO. We know how to assess the situation to establish the level of contamination and devise a safe way forward.

How Does SERVPRO Reduce the Risk During Water Removal?

It is clear that water removal is sometimes risky. Thankfully, SERVPRO trains its technicians to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification standards, which means our people know the industry best practices and how to take care of health and safety. We increase safety by:

• Providing all the necessary personal protective equipment for our staff, including aprons, gloves, and breathing apparatus.
• Using containment to establish barriers around working areas.
• Applying anti-microbial treatments when necessary.
• Being mindful of the risk of mold growth and taking steps to reduce the risk.

Health and safety is not just about contaminants. We also ensure the room is secured before entry and that the lighting and electricity supplies are safe.

Safety is always our priority. We recommend listing to the safety recommendations of our technicians and following their instructions. They are here to keep you and your family safe during remediation. You are free to ask us questions at any time – no questions are wrong, and we are always happy to put your mind at ease.

SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands is on hand to help with any water removal needs you have. Call us today at (774) 252-7376.