Recent trends in wastewater flow and pollutant load resulting from urbanization in Shanghai

To better control water pollution and to manage water resources, we used input-output analysis to examine structural changes in wastewater flows and pollutant loads following changes in socioeconomic activities in Shanghai. We found that the industrial structure has changed considerably and that total direct emission loads exhibited a decreasing trend between 1997 and 2007. Emission loads from secondary industries, especially from paper manufacturing, have decreased. However, wastewater from primary industries remained constant while wastewater from tertiary industries and domestic sources increased, acting as the largest sources of emission loads since 2002. Wastewater and pollutant loads from household consumption, including indirect sources from food manufacturing, clothing, and transportation, had an especially large influence on emission loads in 2007. These emissions were primarily generated through primary industries and food manufacturing sectors. With continued urbanization, wastewater and pollutants generated by household consumption should be factored into the control of water pollution in Shanghai.