sewage
Newsletter
Alexandria, Va., tackles sewage overflow with massive tunnel project
A $615 million tunnel project in Alexandria, Virginia, is nearing completion, designed to address sewage overflows exacerbated by climate change.
In short:
- Alexandria's new 2.2-mile tunnel will help prevent sewage from overflowing into the Potomac River during storms.
- The project, driven by climate concerns, aims to reduce the current 37-70 annual overflows to less than three by 2026.
- Similar outdated sewer systems exist in 700 other U.S. municipalities, many of which are also working on expensive upgrades.
Key quote:
“This project is a contributor to cleaning up the river and making it swimmable and fishable for future generations of Alexandrians.”
— Matt Robertson, AlexRenew
Why this matters:
Increasing rainfall due to climate change is making sewage overflows more common, threatening water quality and public health. Addressing these issues requires significant investment and planning to adapt infrastructure to new environmental realities.
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A portrait of pollution around Canada’s busiest port
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is pushing for stricter regulations to protect Burrard Inlet from industrial pollution, as a leaked video highlights the challenges of enforcement.
In short:
- Toxic waste, sewage, and industrial chemicals pollute Burrard Inlet, making shellfish unsafe to eat and limiting recreational use.
- The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has co-developed new water quality standards with the B.C. government to restore the inlet and allow safe seafood harvesting.
- A leaked video of a coal spill at Neptune Terminals raises concerns about unreported spills and ongoing contamination.
Key quote:
“The establishment of these water quality objectives, using this more risk-based approach that recognizes coastal Indigenous lifeways, I think that’s already a really exciting and important step.”
— Amanda Giang, assistant professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia
Why this matters:
Addressing the severe pollution in Burrard Inlet is important for public health and the environment, reflecting the conflicting industrial pollution and Indigenous rights. The successful implementation of new water quality standards could serve as a model for other polluted waterways. Read more: “Stop hurting us:” Protestors plead for their health outside a Pittsburgh gathering of coal and steel execs.
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Charleston's battle with wastewater woes
In Charleston, S.C., environmental advocates are gearing up for legal action against Charleston Water for failing to curb frequent sewage overflows, raising health and environmental concerns.
In short:
- Frequent storms in Charleston, S.C., lead to sewage overflows, contaminating local ponds and streets with wastewater, and triggering public health concerns.
- Charleston Water has reported numerous sewage spills since 2015, with legal action threatened by environmental groups for non-compliance with federal environmental laws.
- The city’s aging infrastructure, compounded by climate change, struggles to manage the increased frequency and intensity of rainfall and sea-level rise.
Key quote:
“These are basic infrastructure things: how you handle sewage waste. Not only is it a water quality issue, it’s a plain old public health issue. That’s untreated sewage and all the bacteria and pathogens that come with it.”
— Andrew Wunderley, director of Charleston Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
Many cities and towns rely on outdated sewage systems that were designed for a different era—one with less intense rainfall and smaller populations. These systems, often a century old, struggle to handle the volume of water from heavy rainfalls, leading to the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers, lakes, and even streets, posing significant risks to public health and local ecosystems.
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‘A treasure beneath our feet’: How the Dutch went down the toilet looking for heat
Sewage waste is now being seen as a reliable heat source for millions of homes in the Netherlands.
Newsletter
Rising flood risks threaten many water and sewage treatment plants across the US
Across the U.S., municipal water systems and sewage treatment plants are at increasing risk of damage from floods and sea-level rise brought on in part or even wholly by climate change.
Unsanitary and deadly: The Great Stink of 1858 may foreshadow our future climate breakdown
One of the smelliest summers in history has stark implications for our present climate breakdown, experts say.
Photo by Marcin Jozwiak on Unsplash
Consumers to pay a lot of sewerage upgrade investment through bills
The Environment Secretary said bill-payers will see rises in their payments to fund private investment to prevent sewage spills.
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