Helena Joyce
Sewage pollution in rivers is a pressing issue that has various causes and poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. It occurs when untreated or partially treated sewage, containing human waste, household chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other pollutants, is released into rivers through sewer overflows or direct discharges. This can happen due to outdated sewage systems, heavy rainfall, or inadequate waste management, leading to overflows and leaks. Sewage pollution has severe ecological consequences, including the formation of algae blooms, reduced oxygen levels, and the spread of harmful bacteria and illnesses. It is essential to address this issue through infrastructure upgrades, stringent regulations, and public awareness to protect both human well-being and the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
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What You'll Learn
Stormwater and sewage systems
Stormwater refers to rain that washes over hard surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and building roofs. In many older sewage systems, stormwater is combined with household sewage. This combination can lead to overflows, causing sewage to spill onto streets and, eventually, into rivers. Even in more modern systems where stormwater and sewage are separated, stormwater can still end up in the sewer and contribute to overflows.
Portland, Oregon, for example, began building its combined sewer and stormwater system in the 1860s. Many of Portland's older neighborhoods still have this combined system. In 2011, Portland completed the Big Pipe Project, which collects sewage and stormwater from smaller pipes and can store up to 119 million gallons of wastewater. This project has helped to prevent most combined sewer overflows into the Willamette River.
In separated systems, sewage is typically sent directly to a treatment plant, while stormwater can be piped to a treatment plant, flow into a nearby creek or stream, or be held until it soaks into the ground. However, as urban areas expand, more concrete and asphalt surfaces are created, increasing the amount of stormwater that surges into sewers and contributing to overflows.
To mitigate this issue, Portland has implemented green infrastructure solutions, including green street planters, rain gardens, ecoroofs, trees, wetlands, and streams. These natural features help absorb and filter rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff into sewers. Other cities have also adopted similar approaches, such as street-side swales and pervious concrete sidewalks, which filter stormwater through soil and further reduce sewer runoff.
While infrastructure improvements are necessary, they are not sufficient on their own. It is essential to protect and expand natural areas to prevent stormwater from rushing into sewers and to stop overflows before they occur.
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Sewage overflows and leaks
There are several factors that contribute to sewage overflows:
- Stormwater runoff: Older sewage systems combine stormwater with household sewage. Even in separated systems, stormwater can still enter the sewer, increasing the volume and contributing to overflows.
- Aging infrastructure: The average age of sewer pipes in the US is 33 years, with some pipes in cities along the eastern seaboard nearly 200 years old. This aging infrastructure is more susceptible to leaks and breaks.
- Urban development: As urban areas expand, concrete and asphalt surfaces increase stormwater runoff, surging more water into sewers.
- Inadequate capacity: Many sewage treatment plants are undersized or nearing the end of their effective lives, unable to handle the volume of wastewater generated by growing populations.
To mitigate sewage overflows, several strategies can be employed:
- Infrastructure upgrades: Investing in modernizing and expanding sewage treatment infrastructure can help prevent overflows.
- Stormwater management: Implementing natural areas, such as street-side swales and pervious concrete sidewalks, can help filter and reduce stormwater runoff, reducing the load on sewer systems.
- Stringent regulations: Enforcing stringent regulations on wastewater treatment plants can ensure compliance with standards and reduce the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage.
- Public awareness and advocacy: Raising public awareness about sewage pollution and advocating for change can put pressure on governments and water companies to prioritize investing in infrastructure upgrades and improving their practices.
By addressing these issues, we can reduce sewage overflows and leaks, protecting our rivers and the health of the ecosystems and communities that depend on them.
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Health risks for humans
Sewage pollution in rivers poses a significant threat to human health. The presence of sewage in waterways can lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which can be toxic to humans and cause serious illnesses. In addition, untreated sewage contains a range of dangerous pollutants, including pathogens, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, microplastics, and chemicals such as pesticides. These contaminants can have detrimental effects on human health if ingested through tainted seafood or contaminated drinking water.
One of the primary health risks associated with sewage pollution in rivers is the spread of infectious diseases. Untreated human sewage is known to harbour various pathogens, including salmonella, hepatitis, dysentery, and cryptosporidium. According to a 1998 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, water pollution was responsible for one-third of all reported gastroenteritis cases and two-thirds of ear infections. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also documented nearly half a million cases of waterborne illnesses from polluted drinking water in the United States between 1985 and 2000.
Another concern is the impact of sewage pollution on seafood sources. A study by the CDC and the National Academy of Sciences concluded that consuming tainted seafood, which has been contaminated by sewage, is a root cause of many illnesses. Sewage-contaminated water can contain harmful chemicals, plastics, and human waste, which can then be ingested by marine life. This contamination can lead to the accumulation of toxins in seafood, posing a significant health risk to humans who consume it.
The overflow of sewage into rivers can also have indirect health consequences for humans. For example, sewage pollution can lead to the decline of fish populations, which can affect the food security of communities that rely on fishing as a source of livelihood and nutrition. Additionally, the presence of sewage can reduce water quality, making it unsuitable for recreational activities such as swimming and boating, thereby limiting opportunities for physical activity and enjoyment of natural environments.
Furthermore, chronic sewage pollution can have long-term health impacts on humans. Continuous exposure to contaminated water, even at low levels, can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body, potentially resulting in chronic illnesses and developmental issues. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk of adverse health effects from sewage pollution in water sources. Therefore, it is crucial to address sewage pollution in rivers and ensure access to clean water to protect public health and well-being.
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Effects on wildlife and ecosystems
Sewage discharge into rivers introduces a range of pollutants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals. These pollutants contaminate the water and reduce its quality, affecting the health of wildlife and plants. Sewage pollution poses a significant threat to aquatic wildlife, including fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, which can suffer from exposure to toxic substances and disease-causing pathogens.
One of the key impacts of sewage in rivers is the formation of sewage fungus, a complex mix of fungus, algae, and bacteria that can severely reduce oxygen levels in the water. This reduction in oxygen can have adverse effects on all river species, leading to mass fish mortality and disrupting the overall ecosystem health. Sewage fungus can also lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion, which can result in fish kills and harm other aquatic life.
Algal blooms, encouraged by the presence of sewage, can lead to a change in biodiversity and impact the functioning and richness of an ecosystem. While algal blooms may harm some species, they provide favourable conditions for others, such as midges, to thrive at the expense of other species. This shift in species composition can lead to a reduction in the river's overall biodiversity.
Chronic pollution caused by sewage discharge can have long-lasting detrimental effects on ecosystems. For example, the pollution of the River Wey in Surrey in 2014 led to the wipeout of mayflies, with no subsequent natural recovery observed. Similarly, sewage contamination in coral reefs, salt marshes, and fish-rich river systems can have severe consequences for these fragile ecosystems.
Upgrading treatment plants and preventing raw sewage discharges via storm overflows are essential steps in mitigating the risks associated with sewage pollution in rivers. Additionally, protecting and expanding natural areas can help prevent stormwater from rushing into sewers, reducing the likelihood of sewer overflows.
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Water quality testing and regulations
In England, river testing has reached a 10-year low, raising concerns about the potential deterioration of water quality. The Environment Agency, responsible for monitoring water quality, has reduced its independent monitoring efforts over time. This has led to a lack of comprehensive data on the state of freshwater environments. The last tests conducted under the EU Water Framework Directive in 2019 revealed that none of England's rivers met the required ecological and chemical standards. The primary reasons for this failure include pollution from treated and untreated sewage and agricultural runoff.
The water sector affects more than half of England's rivers, with sewage discharges being a significant concern. Sewage overflows, particularly during heavy rain, result in the release of untreated human waste, household chemicals, and plastics into water bodies. While this is permitted in emergencies to prevent sewer backups, water companies have abused this privilege, leading to frequent illegal discharges. Southern Water, for instance, was fined £90 million for thousands of illegal discharges between 2010 and 2015.
The current water quality testing regimes have been criticized for willfully ignoring major pollution events and misleading the public about water safety. The #EndSewagePollution campaign has gained traction, calling for an end to sewage pollution and highlighting the inadequacies of government and regulatory responses. However, weak enforcement of regulations and underfunded environmental agencies have resulted in little change in the behaviour of water companies.
To address these issues, experts emphasize the importance of independent monitoring by organizations like the Environment Agency. They play a crucial role in inspecting and enforcing measures to reduce pollution. Additionally, collaboration between conservation biologists, managers, and cross-sector entities is vital to address the effects of sewage pollution on ecosystems. While ecosystem recovery from acute spills is possible, chronic pollution can have irreversible consequences, as seen in the case of the River Wey in Surrey, where mayflies were wiped out due to pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Sewage ends up in rivers due to outdated sewage systems that combine stormwater with household sewage, causing overflows. Water companies are also allowed to release sewage into rivers in emergencies, such as heavy rain, to prevent it from backing up into buildings.
Sewage in rivers can have severe ecological impacts, including the formation of sewage fungus and harmful algal blooms, which reduce oxygen levels in the water and lead to mass fish mortality. Sewage also introduces pollutants such as nutrients, pathogens, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals, which can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.
To prevent sewage from entering rivers, investments in infrastructure improvements and treatment plants are necessary. Upgrading sewage systems and implementing advanced treatment technologies can help mitigate the risks associated with sewage pollution and ensure that wastewater is properly treated before being discharged into rivers.
Sewage pollution in rivers poses risks to both human health and the environment. It can cause waterborne illnesses, such as gastroenteritis and ear infections, and has been linked to disease outbreaks. It also damages natural ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and threatens ocean recovery.
