An ambitious plan to overhaul the athletic fields at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School hit a bump in the road this week, when the Oak Bluffs wastewater commission said the school could not connect to the town sewer system or install an onsite septic system — at least for now.

Assistant school superintendent Richie Smith and Chris Huntress of Huntress Associates, the firm hired to design the new complex, came before the wastewater commission Wednesday afternoon to air the master plan for the new fields.

In January, the high school formally submitted phase one plans to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and the Oak Bluffs planning board. Phase one for the project, with an estimated price tag of $7.7 million, includes a new eight-lane track surrounding a new artificial turf field running parallel to the Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road. The plans also call for building a new press box, bleachers capable of holding 1,000 spectators and a field house with a concession stand, office, locker rooms, a team meeting room and restrooms.

The original design for the new complex called for installing a title V septic system to service the field house. But on Wednesday, the wastewater commission said the septic system would not be allowed because the area lies in the Sengekontacket Pond watershed, and the town has adopted a net-zero nitrogen policy to protect the pond. And while the high school is connected to the town sewer, the plant is currently at capacity and no new hookups are being allowed.

Wastewater commissioner Gail Barmakian told Mr. Smith and Mr. Huntress it will be at least another three years before the town treatment facility could accommodate the field house, which would generate an estimated maximum 5,000 gallons of wastewater per day.

Ms. Barmakian suggested the school continue to use portable toilets in the interim. But Mr. Smith said portable toilets have no lighting during night games, and the high school hopes to be more accommodating for fans.

As an alternative to portable toilets and in the interest of getting the field house built, Mr. Huntress inquired about whether the field house restrooms could be connected to a so-called tight tank until town sewer becomes available. Wastewater commissioners said that would need approval from the town board of health. Commissioners also said they would not object if piping is installed for future sewer use, but at present the piping could not be connected. Mr. Huntress said he expects to make changes to the master plan and return to the wastewater commission in the coming weeks.