Selected stormwater priority pollutants: a European perspective.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Urban Hydrology
• Water Quality Management

Background:

• Stormwater chemical characteristics are influenced by urban surfaces, natural processes, and human activities.
• Pollutants in stormwater pose challenges for its use, storage, and discharge, necessitating effective treatment.
• Existing methods for evaluating stormwater risks and treatment efficacy require refinement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a scientifically validated list of selected stormwater priority pollutants (SSPPs).
• To aid in evaluating chemical risks associated with different stormwater handling strategies.
• To inform the development of future stormwater pollution control measures and monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of a list of 25 key pollutant parameters, including general water quality indicators, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), herbicides, and industrial compounds.
• Inclusion of eight priority pollutants from the European Water Framework Directive.
• Development of tools for flux modeling to calculate predicted environmental concentrations (PECs).

Main Results:

• The proposed SSPP list comprises 25 parameters, offering a comprehensive basis for risk assessment.
• The list includes general water quality parameters, metals, PAHs, herbicides, and industrial chemicals.
• Tools for PEC calculation and pollutant removal susceptibility ranking have been developed.

Conclusions:

• The SSPP list provides a scientifically justifiable framework for stormwater risk evaluation.
• Further research is needed to integrate all SSPPs into stormwater treatment and management strategies.
• The identified SSPPs should be incorporated into future stormwater monitoring programs.