Cities like Philadelphia and Boston are at higher risk of sewage overflows due to their aging sewer systems and rising sea levels.

U.S. cities with combined sewer systems risk having those systems overwhelmed during flooding, leading to the release of untreated sewage, according to an article in Eurasia Review.
Combined sewer systems collect stormwater and sewage using the same pipes, discharging their contents at wastewater treatment plants. “But the pipes can only convey a certain amount of flow. During wet weather events, to avoid inundating the wastewater treatment plants some portion of the flow still overflows into the natural water bodies through features known as combined sewer overflows – or CSOs.”
While cities are working to upgrade their infrastructure and limit CSOs, “As climate change brings more heavy rain and higher river levels, the problem worsens and cannot be mitigated with conventional approaches to stormwater management.”
A group of researchers from Drexel University studying Camden, New Jersey created climate models to simulate future flooding and CSOs in the city and evaluate the effectiveness of potential interventions. Using the model, researchers found that a proposal to divert upstream stormwater away from its sewer system could help reduce CSOs. “Overall, the results suggest that increased precipitation events due to climate change will cause more combined sewer overflows. And sea level rise will make it more difficult for these systems to discharge into nearby bodies of water.”
FULL STORY: Climate Change And Sea Level Rise Pose An Acute Challenge For Cities With Combined Sewer Systems

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort
Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.
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