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Spheres of Influence
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Combined Sewer Systems: Down, Dirty, and Out of Date John Tibbetts Abstract
Cities around the United States are struggling to bring their combined sewer systems into compliance with a 1994 policy to control the overflows of such systems. Combined sewer overflows release contaminants such as microbial pathogens, suspended solids, chemicals, and trash into waterways, where they can pose risks to human health. One controversial method that sewerage operators use to handle peak flow situations is called “blending,” in which partially treated water is blended with fully treated water before discharge. Municipalities are having a hard time finding funds to upgrade their sewer systems due to federal budget cuts, and they and environmentalists alike agree more federal monies are critical if sewerage infrastructure around the country is to be upgraded.
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