Priority pollutants in wastewater and combined sewer overflow
Johnny Gasperi1, Stéphane Garnaud, Vincent Rocher
1Université Paris-Est, Cereve, UMR-MA102 - AgroParisTech, 61 avenue du Gal de Gaulle, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France. gasperi@univ-paris12.fr
The Science of the Total Environment
|September 26, 2008
Summary
Urban wastewater contains numerous priority pollutants (PPs). Wet weather significantly increases the variety and concentration of these PPs, highlighting the impact of surface runoff on urban water quality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Urban Hydrology
- Water Quality Management
Background:
- European Water Framework Directive mandates understanding of priority pollutants (PPs) in urban wastewater.
- Combined sewer systems present complex challenges for monitoring PPs.
- Data on PP occurrence during dry and wet weather is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the occurrence and concentration of PPs in a Paris combined sewer network.
- To compare PP levels during dry and wet weather conditions.
- To identify key PPs and their sources in urban wastewater.
Main Methods:
- Sampling across multiple sites in the Paris combined sewer network.
- Analysis of 66 determinants, including metals, PAHs, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
- Comparison of pollutant concentrations between dry and wet weather effluent.
Main Results:
- A wide range of PPs was detected in both dry and wet weather samples.
- 33 PPs found in raw sewage and 40 in wet weather effluent.
- Wet weather conditions led to a broader spectrum and higher concentrations of PPs, including metals and PAHs, due to surface runoff.
Conclusions:
- Surface runoff significantly impacts urban wastewater composition, increasing PP diversity and concentration.
- Metals, PAHs, and certain organic compounds are key PPs of concern.
- Findings provide essential data for future PP management strategies in combined sewer systems.
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