An engineering report for Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs concludes that years of soggy conditions and flooding can be traced to failing septic grids, storm water runoff and a poorly functioning irrigation system.

Prepared by the engineering firm of Stearns & Wheler in response to a notice of noncompliance issued by the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Sept. 22, the report was due by Jan. 22. State DEP spokesmen visited the park in late August and found flooding and treated effluent seeping to the surface.

Stearns & Wheler dug four test pits at the park on Dec. 15. The excavation of septic beds located closest to the bandstand revealed standing water and organic matter growing on filters, the report states. Similar conditions were discovered during excavation of the septic grids located adjacent to the concrete bowl in the park.

Wastewater superintendent Joe Alosso said the buildup of organic matter likely slowed the leaching rates and led to pooling. The report also found the topsoil around the septic beds is highly compacted. Among other things the report recommends permanently disconnecting the beds near the bandstand, and it suggests that some or all of the beds near the concrete bowl also may need to be disconnected. Improvements to the irrigation system are also recommended, including the installation of a rain sensor.

The report also recommends the construction of new disposal sites for treated effluent.

Mr. Alosso said he was not surprised by the conclusions of the report. “We always felt it couldn’t be traced to one thing; it’s a combination of wastewater, storm water runoff, irrigation,” he said.

Mark Crossland, owner of Crossland Landscaping which runs the irrigation system at the park, said he agreed with most of the report. “Overall I’d say [the report] is fair. I don’t think there is any question the [bandstand] beds are failing,” he said.

But he countered the report’s irrigation critique. “We already installed a rain sensor at the park. That’s a pretty obvious mistake,” he said.