A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Ecological impacts of combined sewer overflows on receiving waters
Receiving water quality is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental issue due to rapid urbanization and climate change. The quality of water in urban streams is notably affected by discharges from waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) and sewer systems, particularly during combined sewer overflows (CSOs). WWTPs are essential for processing wastewater from both point and non-point sources, which is critical for the sustainable development of water supply systems. Nonetheless, the efficiency and performance of these plants can be significantly impacted during heavy storm events. This paper provides a concise overview of the various factors that lead to CSOs, the primary consequences of these overflows on receiving waters, and the mitigation strategies currently implemented to alleviate their adverse effects. Additionally, it discusses best management practices and strategies that have been developed to enhance the resilience of WWTPs against storm events. The paper also highlights contemporary environmental threats, including micropollutants, microplastics, and bioaerosols, while identifying gaps and challenges in the existing literature regarding these pollutants. Finally, it outlines prospective research avenues and recommends effective management strategies to address the impacts of CSOs on receiving waters.
The major impacts of CSOs include damage to WWTPs, water quality degradation, and risks to aquatic biodiversity.
Innovative strategies for minimizing CSO are smart WWTP control, High -Rate-infiltrations Systems and blue-green-infrastructure.
Establishing standard and baseline data of microplastics and bioaerosols is recommended to address current threats related to CSOs.
Ecological impacts of combined sewer overflows on receiving waters
Receiving water quality is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental issue due to rapid urbanization and climate change. The quality of water in urban streams is notably affected by discharges from waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) and sewer systems, particularly during combined sewer overflows (CSOs). WWTPs are essential for processing wastewater from both point and non-point sources, which is critical for the sustainable development of water supply systems. Nonetheless, the efficiency and performance of these plants can be significantly impacted during heavy storm events. This paper provides a concise overview of the various factors that lead to CSOs, the primary consequences of these overflows on receiving waters, and the mitigation strategies currently implemented to alleviate their adverse effects. Additionally, it discusses best management practices and strategies that have been developed to enhance the resilience of WWTPs against storm events. The paper also highlights contemporary environmental threats, including micropollutants, microplastics, and bioaerosols, while identifying gaps and challenges in the existing literature regarding these pollutants. Finally, it outlines prospective research avenues and recommends effective management strategies to address the impacts of CSOs on receiving waters.
The major impacts of CSOs include damage to WWTPs, water quality degradation, and risks to aquatic biodiversity.
Innovative strategies for minimizing CSO are smart WWTP control, High -Rate-infiltrations Systems and blue-green-infrastructure.
Establishing standard and baseline data of microplastics and bioaerosols is recommended to address current threats related to CSOs.
Ecological impacts of combined sewer overflows on receiving waters
Discov Water
Muleta, Teressa Negassa (author) / Knolmar, Marcell (author)
Discover Water ; 5
2025-03-17
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Climate change , Combined sewer overflows , Receiving waters , Storm events , Wastewater treatment plant Engineering , Environmental Engineering , Environmental Sciences , Environmental Science and Management , Earth Sciences , Hydrogeology , Oceanography , Coastal Sciences , Waste Water Technology / Water Pollution Control / Water Management / Aquatic Pollution , Marine & Freshwater Sciences , Earth and Environmental Science
Ecological impacts of combined sewer overflows on receiving waters
| Springer Verlag | 2025
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