Sanitary sewer overflow: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:14, 23 June 2019

Revision as of 01:14, 23 June 2019

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Since medieval times rulers have been aware of the impact of raw sewage improperly discharged to the environment. Before treatment systems existed in 16th century [[England]], [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]] decreed that sewage troughs should be kept flowing so that they would not stagnate in [[London]] prior to reaching the [[River Thames]] ([[London sewer system]]).{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

In the 19th century, sewage treatment plants were first developed and installed in the U.S. and parts of Europe, and the concept of SSO was identified. However, SSOs were not recognized as a widespread environmental problem until the rise of environmental awareness in the 1960s. Around that time government agencies in the U.S. began identifying locations and frequencies of SSOs in a systematic way. Local governments heard complaints of citizens, and beach closure protocols were systematised to reduce risks to public health.

After passage of the [[Clean Water Act]] in 1972, the U.S. spent billions of dollars on upgrades to sewage treatment plants, with some associated repairs and improvements to the associated collection systems, where the overflows occur. EPA continues to provide funding for low-interest loans to communities for addressing SSO problems, through the [[Clean Water State Revolving Fund]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epa.gov/npdes/sanitary-sewer-overflow-sso-frequent-questions |title=Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Frequent Questions |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015-11-16 |publisher=EPA}}</ref>