How can weather impact sewage treatment processes?

Heavy rainfall can significantly impact sewage treatment processes by overwhelming treatment systems, particularly in areas with combined sewer systems. During heavy rain events, the volume of stormwater can exceed the capacity of the treatment facilities, leading to combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This happens because combined sewers carry both wastewater and stormwater in the same pipe system. When the system becomes overloaded, untreated or partially treated sewage may be discharged directly into water bodies to prevent backups and potential flooding.

This situation poses serious environmental and public health risks, as it introduces pathogens and pollutants into natural water sources. Overflows can compromise the effectiveness of treatment processes and reduce the overall quality of water being released into the environment. Understanding this connection between weather and sewage treatment is critical for managing and enhancing treatment systems, especially in regions susceptible to intense precipitation.